Skip to Main Content

Rhetoric - 2001 Moot Court

Overview


The 2001 Moot Court problem deals with a capital punishment case in which the individual was mentally retarded. More specifically the court must decide whether the petitioner, L. Stanley Cuppe, was sentenced to death in violation of the Eighth Amendment because the Eighth Amendment categorically prohibits Cuppe's execution because he is mentally retarded.

Students are given materials and coaching necessary for arguing a hypothetical case before a panel of judges. Competition comes from fellow students who are assigned the opposing argument. Prior legal knowledge or experience is not necessary for participation. The event is geared for undergraduates and research materials are prepared and distributed to each participant. In addition, tutoring sessions run by practicing attorneys are provided for those interested.

Click here to view the case for this year or here for a copy of the hints sheet written by Wabash alumnus Matt Griffith, Class of 1983.

View the photo album.