Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 12, 1994                   TAG: 9410120061
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: LAURA ZIVKOVICH STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                 LENGTH: Medium

AN ACQUITTAL FOR O.J. SIMPSON - IN BLACKSBURG, AT LEAST

This was it, the moment of truth.

The courtoom rose at Bailiff Matthew Dunay's request to welcome Judge Salem Bush. These sixth-graders at Blacksburg Middle School were about to answer one of the questions that's kept the nation talking for four months: Will O.J. Simpson be found guilty or innocent?

"Innocent," said this jury of 12 pupils after examining the evidence brought forth at a mock trial.

Terence Smith, who played Simpson in the performance, was delighted with the verdict. "I'm glad they said 'innocent,' I'd never want to kill my ex-wife."

Smith is a member of Brad Hill's eighth-period current events class, a free period in which students discuss issues and how they affect their lives. Weeks ago the class discussion focused on the jury selection process and whether Simpson would be able to get a fair trial. The class asked if they could hold a trial of their own. Hill agreed.

"I had no idea it would get this big," he said. "They really got into it."

Hill helped organize the trial and guided the pupils' progress. They had to research trial issues and characters by watching the news and bringing in magazines and newspapers. Hill, a math and science teacher, emphasized problem solving, reasoning and abstract thinking during trial preparations. He threw out tabloids like "The Star" and the "National Enquirer," and any sources that deviated significantly from mainstream evidence.

The students chose sides in the trial so the class was divided in its research. Hill drew names for those wanting to participate as lawyers for the defense and prosecution and those volunteering to portray the characters.

The trial flowed smoothly except for the loud chirping of the cockatiels living in the school's multipurpose room that kept the audience from hearing some of the witnesses' confessions.

The witnesses, after swearing on the Bible to tell the truth, commented on family relationships, the victims' wounds, DNA test results and Simpson's demeanor in the knife store and in the cab on the way to the airport the night of the murder.

The 12-member jury was selected from Becky Smythers' class. Only those responding with uncertainty about Simpson's guilt were to be chosen for the jury. Finding only nine doubting respondents, Smythers was forced to add three pupils who believed Simpson to be innocent. One juror voted to convict but was persuaded to join the other side.

While the jury was out, Judge Salem kept order in the court, slamming his gavel on a table when necessary.

"We had a hard time," said Juror Shannon Snider. "We were deciding this guy's life."

Hill believed that justice was served, at least as far as the mock trial was concerned. "They did a lot of good reasoning," he said.

Asked about his celebration plans, Terence, still in character as the freed Simpson, said "I'll probably go out to dinner with my son," and commented on his continued grief about his ex-wife's murder.

The class will continue to look at the trial as it progresses, discussing related social problems and family interaction.