The People vs Sameh Laham

Defense
28 April 2016
Before Chief Judge Kelsey Agar

Defense Team Members:

Mia Chung

Timothy Sellers

Im not the smartest Asian, but Im the smartest

American

I always get the last word

Even when I probably shouldnt

Evan Prochaska

Heather Jones

The smartest, most intelligent and handsome

I may act blonde, but I argue like a brunette.

Maria Garcia
I will argue my point to the death.

Table of Contents
Opening Statement

Pg 5

Lidia

Pg 6-7

Baruch

Pg 8-10

Ilse

Pg 11-12

Thomas

Pg 13-14

Vera

Pg 15-16

Dan

Pg 17-18

Bus Driver

Pg 19-20

Clive

Pg 21-22

Police Officer

Pg 23-26

Table of Contents
Dr. Sitti

Pg 27-28

Boss

Pg 29-31

Amal

Pg 32-33

Sameh

Pg 34-36

Omar

Pg 37-38

Artifict

Pg 39-40

Closing Statement

Pg 41

Works Cited

Pg 42

Opening Statement
Written by: Timothy Sellers and Heather Jones
Ladies and Gentleman of the Jury, we, the defense, stand here today to prove that Sameh, a young child led astray by his
elders, is innocent. The prosecution has the intent to convince you that our client, Sameh Laham, who is just a child of 16, is
guilty for the crime of first degree murder. From birth Sameh was plagued with the stereotype of being a dangerous person.
People chose to jump to conclusions and judge him based on his religion and looks. Would you want someone to judge you
based on the color of your skin, or the origin of your religion? The defense asks that the jury take a step back and look at the
bigger picture of the events surrounding the bombing. We know based on proven facts that a bomb went off next to Bus #9 on
highway 1 after leaving the diner. However, there is no evidence that it was Samehs bomb that exploded. In fact, we can prove it
was somebody else that blew up a different bomb. Sameh is simply a young child who was led astray through the teaching of
elders and peers that were all based on lies and mistruths. None of the fine people on this jury can say that they have never been
led off the beaten path by somebody that they trust. In this case, Samehs friend Omar fed him half-truths and lies about how
killing is acceptable in the bigger picture of things based on Samehs holy book, the Quran. However, the Quran says nothing
about how the killing of innocent people is okay. Sameh made a choice when he got on that bus. He made the choice to separate
himself from all the evils around him. He made the choice to turn his back on his family and friends. He made the choice to not
blow up the bomb and to not take the lives of innocent people.

Lidia
Portrayed by: Mia Romano
Place of Origin: Argentina
Relationship to Defendant: Is best friends with Vera who was on the bus
Fast Facts:
A. Likes to take pictures
B. Is good friends with Vera
C. Her mother died
Goal for the witness: Not the most important character, but we can try to prove that she is biased because Vera is her
best friend and she is only looking out for Vera.

Lidia
Questions:
1) Lidia, how long have you been friends with Vera?
-Since she arrived at the Kibbutz
2) Did you go with Vera to pick Thomas up?
-No (page 69)
3) So, you were not at the scene of the explosion?
-No ( Page 88)
4) You have only heard from the news and possibly Vera about what happened, correct?
-Yes (Page 88)
5) So is it safe to say that you dont really have a solid understanding of what happened, since youve only heard one side of
the story, yes or no? (yes)
6) So, given that you are good friends with Vera and do not have a good understanding of what happened, so one might
assume that you are just looking out for Vera and cannot accurately give a representation as to why Sameh would be
guilty?
Ladies and gentlemen of the Jury I would like to point out that this witness was not at the explosion herself she has only heard
stories of what happened and can be counted a biased witness given her friendship with Vera, in this case her word should not be
used.

Baruch
Portrayed by: Ryan Bardusch
Place of Origin: Poland
Relationship to Defendant: Is the head of the Kibbutz camp and is a father figure to many people
Fast Facts:
A. Survived the Holocaust
B. His wife and child died
C. He is a very caring person
Goal for the witness: If Baruch is not considered a murderer and he killed his son, how can Sameh be a murderer if he didnt
kill anybody

Baruch
Questions:
1) What is your relation to the defendant?
-No relation
2) Have you ever done something bad, for what you felt to be the right reasons? Yes or no?
-Yes (Kass 150-154)
3) Is it true that you have a wife and a son?
- Yes (Kass 11)
4) What were their names?
-Rachel and Daniel (Kass 152-155)
5) Can you tell the Jury what happened to them?
-I had to kill my son in order to keep the rest of us safe when we were hiding from the Nazi soldiers during WWII. Once
Rachel found out that I had killed our son she killed herself. (Kass 155)
6) Is it fair to say that you killed your son, Daniel, in order to protect your wife, Rachel?
-Yes
7) Do you regret the decision you made to kill your son?
-Yes (Kass 155)
8) If you had known the outcome, and realized the error of your ways, would you have changed your decision?
-Yes (Kass 155)

Baruch
Questions
1)
2)

So do you think it is unreasonable for Sameh to have had this realization before he actually killed anyone?
-Well No
Sameh made the decision not to blow up the bomb, he decided to save the people on the bus and for the greater good, do
you feel it would be fair for him to be put in jail for murder when he didnt kill anyone but yet you killed your son and
werent put in jail for it?
-No

*****
3) Baruch, Is it true that youve been experiencing some medical issues lately?
-Yes (Kass 147)
4) Can you describe your medical status to the jury?
-Ive been experiencing panic attacks and a high blood pressure. (Kass 125/147)
5) And is it true that you have been taking heavy medication to help you fight those symptoms?
-Yes I take a tranquilizer. (Kass 147)
Ladies, and gentlemen of the jury, it is clear that Baruch is an unreliable witness due to his heavy medications, and you cannot
take his testimony into account when determining a fair sentence for our client.

Ilse
Portrayed by: Kayla Frontis
Place of Origin: Germany
Relationship to Defendant: Is the mother of Thomas who was on the bus
Fast Facts:
A. Busies herself with her work
B. Loves Thomas
C. Curious about Opa Hans activities during WWII
Goal for the witness: Cannot trust what she says because she heard about the bombing through secondhand sources, also
Thomas is her son so she is mainly just looking out for him

Ilse
Questions:
1)
Why was your son in Israel?
-He was going to work at a Kibbutz (Page 17)
2)
Do you only want the best for Thomas?
-Yes
3)
Did you actually witness the accident?
-No, I was in Germany (Page 94)
4)
When you got here the first thing you did was go see your son correct?
-Yes (Kass 122)
5)
Is it true that you recently lost your husband to cancer?
-Yes (page 28/27)
6)
Is it possible that seeing your son injured caused you to worry more about losing him especially after recently losing your husband?
-Most likely
7)
Is it safe to say that you are more worried about losing your son and you want whats best for him causing you to be biased against
Sameh because it the the quickest outcome?
-(This is possible)
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury this witness was not even at the scene of the accident, she has heard everything from her son Thomas
and has had a hard time seeing him in this state and is therefore biased and her word should not be used in this court case
After question 3, make the comment she has a bias because its her son and she never saw it for herself so she is biased about what she was
told by others

Thomas
Portrayed by: Dillon Huffstickler
Place of Origin: Germany
Relationship to Defendant: Was on the bus
Fast Facts:
A. His Grandfather was a Nazi
B. His father passed away from cancer
C. He wants information on his Grandfather
Goal for the witness: Prove that he did not suspect anything of Sameh and that he sat near the front of the bus where Sameh was
so if the bomb exploded it would have killed him.

Thomas
Questions:
1) What did you think of Sameh when he got on the bus?
- He rushed on and was talking to himself (Kass 76)
2) Did you have any reason to be suspicious of him?
- He was talking to himself and looking around (Kass 76)
3) Did you personally see someone set off a bomb?
- No
4) Where were you sitting on the bus? (Kass 75)
- The front, with Vera. (Kass 75)
5) How close was Sameh to you when the bus exploded?
- Close to the front, he had just gotten on before the driver did anything (Kass 76)

Vera
Portrayed by: Abby Brown
Place of Origin: Odessa
Relationship to Defendant: Was on the bus
Fast Facts:
A. Bad relationship with her father
B. Has many problems regarding Sergei and her father
C. In a relationship with Dan
Goal for the witness: Prove that this character was sitting closer to Sameh so she wouldnt have survived the explosion if it was
Samehs bomb that went off.

Vera
Questions:
1) What were you doing on the Number 9 bus to Jerusalem?
-Picking up a German boy (Thomas) from airport and returning to Kibbutz. (Kass 13-16)
2) Where were you sitting on the bus?
-Front of bus (Kass 66)
3) Describe to the Jury what you saw or heard while you were waiting for the bus to leave.
-Soldiers standing around, other people from the airport waiting for the bus driver to return, etc (Kass 75)
4) Did you suspect Sameh of any foul play when he got on the bus?
-He was acting strange, talking to himself, and looked worried. (Kass 75)
5) You were at able to hear our client speak to the bus driver, yes?
-Yes
6) If you could hear him, is it fair to say that our client was at the FRONT of the bus just moments before the explosion?
-Yes it is fair to say that
7) Did you see anything happen before the bomb went off?
-Sameh was pinned against the windows by the soldiers after the bus driver alerted them. (Kass 76)
8) Did you see our client, Sameh Laham, detonate a bomb?
-No

Dan
Portrayed by: Aaron Felts
Place of Origin: Israel
Relationship to Defendant: Is in a relationship with Vera who was on the bus
Fast Facts:
A. Is in the military
B. Is in love with Vera
C. Plans to go to university with Vera
Goal for the witness: Prove that Dan is emotionally tied to Vera and biased towards the outcome, so he shouldnt be a reliable
source.

Dan
Questions:
1) What is your relation to the defendant?
-My girlfriend was in the bus explosion and badly injured (Kass 105)
2) Is it true you are currently in a relationship with Vera?
-Yes (Kass 105)
3) Is it true that you are in the military for Israel?
--Yes (Kass 15)
4) Were you at the scene of the accident?
- No (Kass 105)
5) Given that you are in the military and are in a relationship with Vera is it possible that you are currently biased against
Sameh and mainly want whats best for Vera and justice for your country?
-Possibly
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, your Honor, I would like to point out that this witness has an emotional tie to another witness,
Vera Brodsky, and his testimony cant be trusted as an unbiased point of view.

Bus Driver
Portrayed by: Gerald Brown
Place of Origin: Israel
Relationship to Defendant: Drove the Blown Up Bus
Fast Facts:
A. Did not check backpack
B. Told soldiers to knock him down
C. Later said he looked suspicious
Goal for the witness: Prove that Sameh could not have reached his backpack because he was pinned down by the soldiers and
could not have set of the bomb

Bus Driver
Questions:
1)
This started out seeming to be a normal day, could you explain what happened?
-We pulled into the diner, and when everyone got back on the bus one kid who looked Jewish got on, he rushed on and was talking
to himself, after a while I got suspicious and had the soldier pin him against the window, then a yellow van started getting very close and
next thing I know there was an explosion (Kass 83)
2)
Why did you not check Samehs backpack when he first got on the bus?
- I thought he was jewish, he got on really quick (
3)
You stated in your interview you could hear Sameh talking, if you could hear him then he was sitting closer to the front. If Sameh
was sitting closer to the front, and if he had set off the bomb himself, how did he survive and how did you survive with minor
injuries? (Kass 85)
-I dont know. (Kass 86)
4)
According to, Dr. Ricardo Hellman at the Hadarim hospital states The majority of the badly wounded were passengers in the rear
of the bus if Sameh was sitting in the front how could he have set off a bomb if the injuries were in the back?
-He couldnt have (Kass 83, 76)
5)
You state in your interview thats when he must have pulled the switch and set off the explosives so in order to set off the bomb
he had to have hit a switch was on the bomb which was in his bookbag on the floor correct?
-Yes (Kass 83)
6)
You also stated that I shouted to everyone in the bus and one of soldiers hit him on the head with his rifle butt if he was hit in the
head and pinned against the window, how could he have set off a bomb which had to be detonated by a manual switch in his
backpack that was on the floor?
-He couldnt have (Kass 83)
7)
Did you notice the yellow van pulling up really close to the bus as you were leaving the diner?
-Yes I was trying to get into the middle lane and the car was very close to the bus (Kass 83)

Clive Burleigh
Portrayed by: Ian Hein
Place of Origin: Britain
Relationship to Defendant: He is a news reporter
Fast Facts:
A. He is a news reporter
B. He specializes in reporting in troubled countries
C. He misses his family
Goal for the witness: Get information about Samehs village and the people in his village

Clive Burleigh
Questions:
1) Clive, how long have you been reporting on incidents like this one in Israel?
-A few years (Does not say in book)
2) So is it safe to say that you are an expert of these types of situations?
-Sure (Does not say in book)
3) During your reporting, you went to Sameh Lahams home, correct?
-Yes (Kass 99)
4) What information did you get from his mother about Sameh and his life?
-The house was not a good home, but his mother and family seemed to really care about him. (Kass 100-101)
5) When you were at Samehs home, was there any sign of a bad home life?
-No his mother and his family really cared about him (Kass 100-101)
6) You went to go look at the bus correct?
-Yes (Kass 129)
7) Could you describe the condition of the bus and what they were doing with it?
-The roof of the bus was gone and it was burned, and they were searching the bus for any other personal items that might
have survived (Kass 129-130)
8) What was the scene of the accident like?
-ANSWER (Kass 130)

Police Officer
Portrayed by: Ben
Place of Origin: Israel
Relationship to Defendant: Keeps the law
Fast Facts:
A. Interrogated Omar multiple times
B. Biased against Palestinian Youth
C. Trying to protect his family and country
Goal for the witness: Knows of Omars bomb making abilities, prove Omar could have done it

Police Officer
Questions:
1) Hello Mr. Police Officer. Can you tell the Jury how long youve been doing police work?
- A few years. (Not in book)
2) Can you also tell us a little about your training to become a police officer?
-Yes.
3) Are you confident in your training?
-Yes.
4) Can you please recite to the Jury the Law Enforcement Oath of Honor that you were required to memorize before
receiving your badge?
-Yes.
5) Is it fair to say that in your time as a police officer in Israel, youve seen your fair share of bus bombings and terrorist
threats?
- Yes.
6) In events leading up to this bus bombing, you spend much of your time searching for Sameh, but is it not true that you had
a young man named Omar Joulani in custody for questioning several times prior to the bombing?
-Yes(Kass 8-10, 42-44)
7) According to other reports, enough evidence has been established to place Omar in the drivers seat of stolen van with the
possession of the bomb that exploded. Why was he not arrested prior to this bombing? (128)
-No Answer.

Police Officer
Questions:
8) According to the preliminary report, it also seems that you have no reason to believe that the bomb exploded inside the bus?
-Page 128 states that the bus was not blown up from the inside. A vehicle drove alongside the bus and then detonated the
powerful bomb.
9) So if it didn't explode inside the bus where did it explode? (P. 128)
- The bomb exploded outside of the bus in a yellow van.
10) Where was Sameh during the time of the explosion?
- Sameh was inside the bus.
11) If Sameh was inside the bus how could he have exploded a bomb outside of the bus?
- No answer.
12) According to the Radio News Cast live at the scene at 12:04 he states The explosion ignited the fuel tank the initial
explosion from the car ignited the bus, if it was a fuel tank that exploded caused by the car how could it have been Sameh that
killed all those people with his bomb?(Page 80)
-No answer.
13) Can you please reread the last three lines of your Law Enforcement Oath of Honor?
-Yes
14) If, according to preliminary reports, Omar was driving this van and set off this powerful explosion, why would you convict
Sameh for a crime he could not have physically committed, especially when you, as a police officer have sworn an oath to pursue
JUSTICE?

Police Officer
Oath (Questions 4 and 13) :
On my honor,
I will never betray my badge,
my integrity, my character,
or the public trust.
I will always have
the courage to hold myself
and others accountable for our actions.
I will always uphold the constitution
my community and the agency I serve
In order to seek Justice

Dr. Ibrahim Stitti

Portrayed by: Wesley DeCaron
Place of Origin: Palestine
Relationship to Defendant: He is the doctor
Fast Facts:
A. He is a doctor
B. He has trouble getting through the border every day
C. Takes care of Thomas
Goal for the witness: Thomas could not have survived the bomb if it went off next to him

Dr. Ibrahim Stitti

Questions:
1) How long have you worked with patients that have been in the Intensive Care Unit and suffered bomb wounds?
-Certain number of year
2) Would you say you are an expert in this field?
-Yes
3) Are Thomass wounds similar to someone that would be near the bomb as it exploded?
-No
4) So is it safe to assume Thomas was not extremely close to the bomb when it went off?
-Yes
5) Sameh was near to Thomas at the front of the bus as the bomb exploded so wouldnt it be him that suffered the worst of
injuries and even possible death?
-Yes
6) So from all this I am gathering that it couldnt have been Sameh that detonated the bomb but someone further back in the
bus or even outside the bus for Thomas to sustain the wounds he suffered?
-One could assume that

The Boss
Portrayed by: Simeon Stephens
Place of Origin: Israel
Relationship to Defendant: His employer
Fast Facts:
A. Loves Sameh
B. Is willing to employ Sameh even though it is illegal so he must trust him
C. Loves his son Yoni
Goal for the witness: Sameh could not have done the bombing, Sameh had never acted suspicious before

The Boss
Questions:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)

Whats your relationship to the defendant?

-Sameh worked for me at a Yonis Diner off Highway 1(Kass 66)
What was your first impression of Sameh?
-He was a poor young kid who needed help to care for his family.
If you knew he was an illegal, why did you offer him a job at your diner?
-DONT KNOW WHAT HELL SAY TO THIS
In all these years has he given you any reason to suspect him of terrorism?
-No, he cared for his mother and family very much (Kass 67).
Throughout his time working for you, you gave him money, clothes, and food for his family correct?
-Yes (Kass 21).
So he was the main source of income and supplies for his family?
-Yes (Kass 10).
Is it true that Sameh would miss work to take care of his mother when she was sick?
-Yes (Kass 66).
If he was the main caretaker of his family, why would he himself become a suicide bomber?
-He wouldnt.

The Boss
Questions:
9) Do you think that Sameh is capable of blowing up a bomb?
-I do not.
10) Do you know Omar Joulani?
-Yes (Kass 45 has the Boss talking to Sameh saying Omar was here in a yellow van, Sameh. He said to tell you he came
by.)
11) Did you happen to see Omar the day of the explosion?
-Yes. He came by looking for Sameh in a yellow van. (Kass 45)
12) So you saw Omar in a yellow van the same day as the explosion?
-Yes.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury, you see here based on the bosses testimony, Omar was seen that day in the yellow van, the
same one seen at the scene of the explosion.

Amal Laham
Portrayed by: Aly Wing
Place of Origin: Palestine
Relationship to Defendant: Mother
Fast Facts:
A. Secretly glad he is alive
B. Very poor
C. Emotional
Goal for the witness: Show that Sameh would not be able to go through with his plan through the eyes of someone that raised
him based on his emotion

Amal Laham
Questions:
1) Mrs. Laham, is it true that your husband passed away from cancer?
Pg 21(only mentions mother)
2) How did this event affect your family, Sameh in particular? Pg 21
3) Is Sameh an emotional person? Pg 76
4) In your opinion, do you believe that Sameh felt the need to take over responsibilities for the family after your husband
died? Pg 21(He took a job to provide)
5) Why does Sameh go to Israel everyday? Pg 21( works at diner)
6) Did Sameh ever mention his friend, Omar Joulani? (We can assume as they are friends)
7) Did you ever suspect him to be involved in any terrorist organizations? (see emotional questions)
8) Do you believe Sameh could have been mislead by Omar, causing him to believe things and do things that he normally
wouldnt? Pg 76( he almost did it)
Important:
Why would Sameh blow himself up if he is the only source of income for his family?

Sameh Laham
Portrayed by: Ethan Robinson
Place of Origin: Palestine
Relationship to Defendant:
He is the Defendant
Fast Facts:
A. He is still a minor
B. He is illegally employed by a Jew
C. Puts his family before himself
Goal for the witness: Sameh was not able to blow up his bomb because the soldiers had him pinned down and he did not have
the spirit to blow himself up.

Sameh Laham
Questions:
1)

Sameh Laham
Questions:
1) Where were you before you got onto the bus?
-Working at the diner (Kass 70)
2) Were you given a signal to go onto that certain bus?
-No
3) To our understanding, you got on the bus quickly without the Bus Driver checking your backpack? (Kass 76)
4) What did you have in your backpack?
-I did. There was a bomb in the backpack (Kass 76)
5) Did the bomb have a remote or did you need to detonate it manually?
-I would have to detonate it manually (Kass 142)
6) The Bus Driver said in his radio interview he heard you talking to yourself (Kass 85), is it safe to say you were at the front
of the bus?
-Yes.
7) What happened on the bus right before the explosion?
-The bus driver yelled a word and then the soldiers on the bus pinned me against the wall(Kass 76)
8) So the Bus Driver yelled and you were pinned against the wall by soldiers?
-Yes (Kass 76)
9) So your hands were nowhere near the bomb when the explosion happened?
-Correct (Kass 76)

Sameh Laham
Questions:
10) Did you see anything before the explosion?
-Yes. I saw Omar driving a yellow van with a bomb.(Kass 76)
11) Did the boss say anything to you about Omar and the yellow van?
-Yes (Kass 45)

Omar Joulani
Portrayed by: Nathan Turner
Place of Origin: Palestinian
Relationship to Defendant: Friend (Deceased)
Fast Facts:
A. Good at bomb making
B. Not emotional
C. Peer Pressured Sameh
Goal for the witness: Admit to blowing up his own bomb and that he knows Sameh would not have blown up his bomb

Omar Joulani

Artifacts:
Exhibit A

Description of artifact:
Image of man in yellow van after he ran a red
light

What it proves:
Omar was in the the van

Why it matters: It was the yellow van that

had exploded 86

Artifacts:
Exhibit B

Description of artifact:
Burned out bus exploded from the outside

Insert image here

**Optional

What it proves: The bomb was not

detonated inside the bus.

Why it matters: Sameh was inside the bus

Closing Statement
Written by: Mia Chung
Ladies and Gentleman of the Jury, we thank you for your attention today on this very important case. Although many may see fault
in Sameh Lahams actions on Sunday April 9, we, the defense, want you to acknowledge that our client actually did the right thing on that
horrific day. Although the prosecution is trying to convince you to find Sameh guilty of murdering innocent people, Sameh actually showed
extreme strength of character. Instead of following the social norms, he stood up and fought against the majority. He is a brave young boy
who chose the right thing by choosing to not set off that bomb. How can you blame somebody for sticking up for their beliefs? Not many
people are strong enough to take a step into the greater path in life. Sameh wanted to save his family, become a hero to his siblings, but he
realized the possible outcome his actions could bring, and decided not to set off the bomb. He would become a hero by doing the morally
right thing. In the moment anyone can change their mind. Someone could come in this courtroom right now with the desire of shooting
every single person, but when they get in the moment, they back out. Is is right to charge them for murder when they didnt shoot one
person? Sameh isnt responsible for any of the lives lost. His bomb didnt go off; therefore, he didnt murder any of those people on that bus
on that Sunday Afternoon. Is it right for you to hold Sameh responsible for murder when he never even touched the detonator? Theodore
Roosevelt once said, In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the
worst thing you can do is nothing. So do you want to make the ultimate best decision, or the next best decision? Please Ladies and
Gentleman, do the right thing.

Works Cited
Kass, Pnina M. Real Time. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. Web. 25 Apr. 2016.