Connecticut Supreme Court Hears Two Cases at Tolland High School

The Tolland High School auditorium was transformed into a working courtroom on Tuesday as the Connecticut Supreme Court made a local stop as part of the Court’s annual On Circuit program. 

Students from Tolland High School, Bolton High School and East Catholic High School were allowed to attend after educational briefing sessions by local lawyers. 

Tolland High School Principal Dominique Fox said it is was the best was possible to learn about the legal system at its highest level in the state. 

The real-life scenario began about an hour before the first case at 9:30 a.m. Students lines up for metal detector screening by real marshals.

One twist was breakfast, something the justices said they are not used to getting before hearing cases. 

Once inside the auditorium, it was all business as all rose when the justices entered the chamber and took their places. 

The first case was State of Connecticut v. Robert Eleck  out of the Judicial District of Stamford-Norwalk, a first-degree assault conviction. It examined whether Facebook messages purportedly sent by a witness were inadmissible for lack of sufficient authentication. 

William Westcott argued for the defense while Assistant State's Attorney

Timothy Costello presented for the prosecution. 

Justices had several questions in what seemed to be a perplexing debate over evidence collected in the ever-emerging world of online communication.

A decision could take some time to be written, a Judicial Department spokeswoman said. 

The second case argued was, Roland Todd White v. Mazda Motor of America, Inc., a civil matter.  

Briefs are available in both cases at http://blog.ctbriefsonline.com/