First-graders enact in Superior Court trial

An Eastern Elementary School jury came through with the expected verdict in the trial of the Big Bad Wolf in Beaufort County Superior Court on Wednesday.

The jury, made up of jurors from the classrooms of Merilyn Crisp, Amanda Waters, Shannon Zerniak and Heather Elliott, needed no time to deliberate as they returned a guilty verdict. The Big Bad Wolf, known to his friends as “BB,” was accused of assaulting Curly Pig. Though no charges have been filed, BB Wolf is also under investigation for the disappearance of Curly Pig’s brothers Larry and Moe.

Judge Ariel Higuera, with help from Beaufort County Clerk of Court Marty Paramore, sentenced the Big Bad Wolf to 10 weeks in prison for the ongoing harassment and assault of Curly Pig.

Defense attorney Michael Allen Gerard, assisted by District Attorney Seth Edwards, argued that BB Wolf was making a friendly visit and any threatening behavior was misinterpreted by Curly Pig. But Curly Pig (Judicial Assistant Jackie Watson) testified that the harassing behavior had been escalating for weeks and truly feared for his life.

At times, the 45-minute trial grew heated as defense and prosecution struggled to prove their cases, and sometimes struggled with pronunciation.

“Objection!” said Rhianna Meyer, acting district attorney, during the testimony of Mr. Jack Smith (Judicial Assistant Paula Weatherington). “The witness is guessing at my client’s motives!”

“Objection!” said Michael Allen. “This testimony about Little Red Riding Hood is completely irrelevant to the case at hand!”

Court reporter Perry Fields, clerk’s assistant Jada Martin and bailiffs Henry Woolard, Ziyere Windley-Sutton and Joshua Gorham looked on as Wolf’s sentence was handed down.

A visibly enraged Wolf  (Assistant District Attorney Mike Holloman in a wolf mask) was led from the courtroom in handcuffs by McGruff the Crime Dog.

The first-graders’ field trip, with its tour of the Beuafort County Courthouse and mock trial of The Big Bad Wolf v. Curly Pig, was designed to give a hands-on, first-person view of how law works.

“This teaches the kids about community leaders and all the different roles of people in the courtroom,” said first-grade teacher Heather Elliott. “It lets them see a positive experience in coming here.”