Edwards AFB News

B.B. Wolf sues Curly Pig - mock trial shows scouts inner workings of courthouse

  • Published
  • By Rebecca Amber
  • Staff writer
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., --  In the case of Wolf versus Pig, the jury found Pig not liable for attempted wolf cooking. The hearing took place at the Base Courthouse Dec. 9, with Judge Col. Wesley Moore, Staff Judge Advocate, Air Force Test Center, presiding.

The plaintiff was represented by Capt. Thomas Colby, 412th Test Wing, JA, and the defendant by Capt. Jenna Perkins, 412th TW, JA. The members of the jury were hand-selected from the local Cub Scout Wolf Den Pack 741 located on base.

The defendant, Curly Pig portrayed by Airman 1st Class William Kiss of 412th TW, JA, was accused of allegedly attempting to cook the plaintiff on Aug. 19. The plaintiff's attorney attempted to show that Pig placed a cauldron of boiling water in a spot where he was sure the defendant, Big Bad Wolf, would show up.

Pig argued he was not liable stating that Wolf was trying to forcibly enter his home and he acted in self-defense.

Pig and Wolf each took their turns on the witness stand and the jury listened closely as the tale unfolded. Key evidence included Pig's cookbook open to the recipe for Poached Wolf. Pig however, claimed it was a mere coincidence. Pig testified that Wolf had a history of harassment to the Pig family and Wolf had even eaten Pig's brothers, Larry and Moe.

Perkins called Jane Smith, portrayed by Capt. Emily Wilson, Air Force Test Center, JA, to the witness stand. Smith testified that Wolf had indeed harassed the Pig family.
 
After hearing all of the facts, the jury put it to vote and ruled in favor of Pig.

The mock trial, arranged by Maj. Daniel Watson 412th TW, Deputy Staff Judge Advocate, was put together entirely by volunteers from the Test Wing and Center legal offices.

"The [Cub Scout] Wolf Den wanted to hear about what happens in a court room. We wanted to use an example they could relate to and the story of the three little pigs is something that would provide a good introduction to legal concepts," said Watson.

After the trial, Watson opened the floor for questions. The children asked questions like, "What are lawyers?, and how is a jury chosen?"

"We just wanted to give them a sense of what happens in court. I also hope they gained a little further appreciation that there is some place out there where adults go to in order peacefully resolve conflicts and problems," said Watson. "I think it went pretty well."