Mock Trial Fall 2025 Case Notes

Overview of Case

• Charlie Martin is indicted for criminal homicide for causing the death of fellow contestant Rob Armstrong during the filming of a reality TV show Saboteurs.

• Charlie Martin has entered a plea of not guilty.

• The case is set for a jury trial in the Charlotte County District Court.

Exhibit 1: Rules of the Show

• Structure of the show:

  • 20 people meet in a different location each season; locations could be anywhere.

  • Patrons: nobles/innocent contestants.

  • Saboteurs: insiders with insider information.

  • Saboteurs get insider information on the challenges in advance.

  • People who are not saboteurs may sabotage others if they want.

• Cast composition:

  • 17 patrons (nobles).

  • 3 saboteurs.

• Elimination mechanics:

  • Contestants can be eliminated by being voted off by other contestants or by failing a challenge/finishing last.

• Final stage:

  • The game comes down to the final 5 contestants.

  • In the final 5, one contestant is eliminated and one is voted off (as described in the transcript).

• Prize rules:

  • If all 3 saboteurs are among the final contestants? The transcript states: If any saboteurs are in the 3, they only get the prize (implying saboteur success overrides the nobles in the final prize allocation).

  • Prize pool is $1{,}000{,}000$ dollars.

• Saboteur mechanics and deception:

  • Saboteurs may formally agree to sabotage one person only.

  • They then choose a primary saboteur for that challenge, and all other saboteurs leave.

  • The selected saboteur meets with production to get insight on the challenge.

  • The target of sabotage is not revealed before the challenge is played.

• Immunity and elimination dynamics:

  • The patron who performs best in a given phase earns immunity.

  • One patron is additionally voted off (i.e., carries an elimination risk beyond the challenge-based elimination).

• Contingency rule:

  • Additional rule: If the show ends before the winners are announced, the remaining players split the prize equally regardless of status.

Exhibit 2: Chart Summary

• Description:

  • Chart listing:

  • Which contestants are patrons/saboteurs.

  • Which contestants hold immunity at various points.

  • Which contestants are voted off at different stages.

Exhibit 3: Autopsy Report

• Medical History:

  • Subject: 34-year-old male.

  • General condition: excellent.

  • Mild cat allergy (allergic rhinitis)

  • Heightened physical ability, corroborated by contestants.

  • Appendectomy performed at age 12.

• External Examination:

  • CPR-related bruising on the chest.

  • Chemical burns around lips and nose.

  • Mild cyanosis (discoloration) in fingernails and lips.

• Oral Cavity/Mouth:

  • Bruising observed within the mouth region.

  • Signs of cat allergy symptoms (mucus)

• Respritory:

  • Lungs were waterlogged; frothy fluid > consistent with drowning.

  • Small bleeds (Petechial hemorrhages) in eyes (conjunctiva) and lung lining (pleura).

  • BUT: Chemical irritation (redness, rawness) in windpipe (trachea) and larger breathing tubes (bronchi).

  • Not typical for just drowning.

  • Suggests the possibility of an inhaled chemical

• Cardiovascular system:

  • Normal with slight right sided strain, mild physiological stress

• CNS:

  • Brain was mildly swollen, no air (hypoxia), oxygen deprivation prior to death

  • No signs of head trauma or injury

• Gastrointestinal:

  • No abnormalities, partially digested meal consumed 2-3 hours before death

• Renal:

  • Kidneys normal, outer section (cortical) is pale > acute metabolic stress

  • Tissue samples taken for histological examination

• Other systems: normal

• Cause of Death:

  • Loss of breath (Asphyxia) from drowning. Toxicology results show inhalation of oxalic acid (found in cleaning agents like bleach)

  • Oxalic acid poisioning lead to hypoxia > disorientation/drowning

Exhibit 4: Toxicological Analysis

Basic Blood panel findings (abnormalities):

• Serum Calcium: critically low (hypocalemia)

• pH: 7.08 (metabolic acidosis - low blood ph)

• Electrolytes, blood glucose, creatinine - normal

Microscopy: Kidney tissue tested, Hematoxylin & Eosin - No overt pathology

• Kidney tissue examined under a miscroscope using special stains

• Calcium oxalate crystals, shaped like fans and rosettes, were found broadly distributed across the outer tissue of both kidneys.

Interpretations:

• These findings suggest that acute oxalate poisoning > likely inhalation in aerosolized (consolidated spray) or vaporized form

• Lung damage and drowning > incapacitation or disorientation leading to submersion

Advanced Toxicology: blood re-tested

• Oxalic acid (serum): 3.5x upper reference limit

• Ethylene Glycol, (used in antifreeze) cyanide, heavy metals, Salicylates/Acetaminophen (pain relievers) > all none/negative

Tissue Distribution of Oxalic Acid: kidney tissue, tracheal (throat airway) tissue, bronchial (lung) tissue, oral swabs

Interpretation:

• High concentration consistent with recent and decent exposure

• Distribution suggets exposure via upper airway during a concious state

Exhibit 5: Footage Review of Dive Challenge

Challenge Description:

• Swim to the bottom of a 25-30 foot lagoon > untie 5 metal rings

  • All had a small mask and oxygen tank with 30 minutes of air

Footage review notes:

• 00:00–03:00: Rob Armstrong enters the water, coughs after a test breath, switches masks, then descends and easily unties the first ring.

• 03:00–04:30: Easily unties the second and third rings.

• 04:30–05:30: Pace slows, movements become less fluid, delay at the fourth anchor.

• 05:30–08:00: Fmbles the knot at the fourth anchor, appears disorientated, erratic breathing

• 08:00–10:00: Leaves the fourth anchor without untying it, ascends and descends erratically, heads towards the fifth anchor without clear purpose.

• 10:00–12:00: He drifts, attempts to ascend unsuccessfully, his eyes are wide and unfocused, and his body tilts, indicating disorientation.

• 12:00–14:30: He attempts a rapid ascent, stops, descends erratically, and tugs at his mask and regulator while shaking his head.

• 14:30–15:00: He yanks off his mask, inhales water, begins convulsing, his limbs flail, and his eyes close.

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• 15:30–16:00: Emergency protocol is initiated, divers retrieve him, and administer rescue breaths.

Exhibit 6: Interview with Riley Kaye

Key Points:

• Riley Kaye was heavily involved in the production of the show and had a long history with the show

• After finishing a bachelors in film and television:

  • Started as an intern on "The Saboteurs" premiere season.

  • After Season 1: Performed editing work and served as the showrunner's personal assistant.

  • Season 2: Production assistant

  • Further promoted to Associate Producer.

  • Season 7: Promoted to Supervising Producer, responsible for talent recruitment and maintenance.

  • Season 10: Story Producer

• She was responsbile for giving them the options of who to sabotage

  • She ultimately adminsistered the sabotage herself

  • “Did any of the players push back on the options you presented?” > “Im not comfortable answering that”

  • “Ok, did you ever change the options of the planned sabotage after the target was selected?” > “I’m sure that has happened in the 10-year history of the show.”