Case File State v. Sanchez

Was Ernesto Sanchez in the wrong place at the wrong time, or is he a member of a violent criminal gang? Sanchez admits that he was caught up in a parking lot gang fight in his rough neighborhood and stabbed Patrick Connor, who died of the wound. Sanchez says he stabbed Connor in self-defense after Connor hit him with a baseball bat. The witnesses agree that Sanchez was on the ground and Connor was standing over him. What happened next is in dispute, as is whether Sanchez is a gang member or just a local resident who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. This unique file focuses on gang activity and non-traditional experts whose qualifications are experience rather than education.

New to the Third Edition:

• Updated skull sketches to reflect Ernesto's assertion that they are for Dia de los Muertes
• Cultural information about the Day of the Dead in relation to skull drawings

Professors and students will benefit from:

• An opportunity to examine implicit and explicit biases and learn how to address them in a courtroom situation
• A variety of witnesses let participants weigh the advantages and disadvantages of calling each witness
• Multiple forms of exhibits allow participants a chance to practice laying foundations