Students from 10 Capital Region middle and high schools considered evidence on April 25, surrounding the death of college junior Mary Jane McMortis, who was murdered in a psychology lab at Middle City College.
The fictional case, based on some real-life current events, was presented to the students, who also received a case file of evidence and the accounts of eyewitnesses (played by ACPHS students) to interest them in ACPHS’ Forensic Psychology program, new to the College this year.
Visiting students were introduced to the case through a video, “Only Murders in the Psych Building,” starring ACPHS students and faculty, which played off the popular Hulu series “Only Murders in the Building,” as well as a Cameo video featuring actor Jackie Hoffman as the cranky character Uma Heller from the program.
Yet while the setup was lighthearted, the case brought to light serious issues for students to tackle, including how a suspect with diagnosed mental illness should be treated by the justice system.
Students who visited ACPHS to participate in the event said they enjoyed the experience of trying to solve and present a case by combing over evidence and interviewing witnesses.
An Albany High School Senior, Arianna, had notes scribbled all over the pages of her case file. She said the event was a good way to gear up for her participation in a high school regional mock-trial event the next day.
“I thought it was a great opportunity, and I’d love to come back to another event – even though I’m graduating,” she said.
Moksha, an eighth-grade student from Guilderland, liked that the event brought psychology issues to life.
Gabriella, a first-year student at Mohonasen High School in Rotterdam, enjoyed being around other students who were interested in forensic psychology.
The event also provided a learning opportunity for ACPHS students who played suspects and witnesses. Forensic psychology student Mia McReynolds played a witness, a psychiatrist who believes their patient committed the crime. In the process, she learned more about the mental disorder schizophrenia as well as decompensation and the effect of medications.
“This was a very fun event, it brought a lot of the forensic students together to show the most exciting aspects of the program,” McReynolds said. “We were able to play out a real-life scenario that is filled with concepts we learn about in the classroom.”
Faculty in psychology, forensic science and public health also participated in the event.
A panel of six area legal and criminal justice experts joined in the event, offering guidance as students grappled with evidence and their ability to bring a case to court. They were Frank J. Fanshawe, partner at Whiteman Osterman & Hanna; Ricky D. Williams Jr., retired major in the New York State Police; Christine Fernandez, attorney at the Albany County Department of Law; Sara Martin, faculty coordinator of the Criminal Justice Program at Hudson Valley Community College; John E. Pratt, senior detective in the state Office of Attorney General; and Blake Maher, CEO of the SeriousFun Children’s Network.
A sequel is planned in the fall, following up on the same case, said Assistant Professor Stephen Maher. He is considering having students consider the main suspect’s status as a mentally ill defendant and whether he would be competent to stand trial.
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