Christopher Columbus gets his day in court

By Dawn Goodman
Staff writer
dgoodman@observer-reporter.com
McDONALD – Christopher Columbus: Guilty as charged.
That’s what a Fort Cherry fourth-grade jury decided earlier this week after a trial to determine whether Columbus was guilty of abusing his position, misrepresenting the crown and stealing gold.
In advance of Columbus Day, Laurie Crawford’s class staged the trial, which included everything from opening statements to closing arguments. Historical witnesses testified, including Columbus, sailors who were on voyages with Columbus and Queen Isabella of Spain.
One sailor testified that Columbus stole items from the natives and that he didn’t return all of the gold he had to the Spanish king and queen. Another said Columbus was a good guy.
Queen Isabella, portrayed by Grace Lipscomb, said she and King Ferdinand were outraged. She said they provided Columbus with three of their best ships, and he promised to sail to find the Indies and return with spices, gems, silk and gold. He failed, she said
“As you can see, his route did not take him to China,” she said. “He brought back parrots, fruit and some gold, but I know he did not turn it all over to the crown.”
The last witness to testify was Columbus himself, portrayed by Alyssa Ersek.
“This is scandalous! I am a hero and should be treated as such,” she said. “I risked my life for the Crown.”
During closing arguments, the prosecutor, portrayed by Cameron Schaub, said Columbus mistreated natives by taking more gold than what he traded trinkets for, that he kept gold for himself.
“Based on the charges we heard today, I think Columbus took advantage of his position, stole from the Crown and misrepresented Spain,” he said. “I hope that you can find it in your hearts to charge him and make him pay for the injustices that he has done.”
The defense attorney, portrayed by Megan Cottrill, said the prosecution witnesses were lying.
“I tell you that all we heard today are exaggerations of mean and jealous people,” she said, adding that all the queen was really worried about was her spices, gems and gold. “Based on that fact, who is the greedy person here? Who is really guilty of misrepresenting their power or place in society? Columbus or the Crown? You decide.”
With that, the jury walked out into the hallway and discussed the possibility. The jury members returned a few minutes later with a 9-3 guilty verdict.
Heather Martin, Crawford’s student teacher, was the judge. She sentenced Columbus to life in prison.
Jury member Gabby Nissly said she thought he was guilty. For her, it was simple. He said he would give the king and queen all of the gold and he didn’t.
Jury member Riley Carter had the opposite point of view. Columbus didn’t take gold from the natives; he traded trinkets for gold, Carter said.
In the end, the lesson was fun, said fourth-grader Taiya Godwin. The students aren’t done yet, though. They still must participate in a Web quest scavenger hunt about Columbus and answer essay questions about him.
“We got to learn what court was like and about Christopher Columbus,” she said.

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