School of Law presents 'Jesus on Death Row: The Trial of Jesus and the American Capital Punishment System"

October 16, 2014
Would a modern jury sentence Jesus to death? University of Richmond School of Law will explore the death penalty and the relationship between underprivileged populations and the criminal justice system in its program, “Jesus on Death Row: The Trial of Jesus and the American Capital Punishment System.”

This mock trial will take place from 6-7:30 p.m., Oct. 28, at the University of Richmond School of Law Moot Courtroom. The event is co-hosted by the Christian Law Fellowship, the J. Reuben Clark Society, the St. Thomas More Society and the Muslim Law Society.

Drawing on Mark Osler’s book, “Jesus on Death Row,” the trial uses Virginia law to retry the sentencing phase of the blasphemy case against Jesus of Nazareth. 

Osler, a former US Attorney in Detroit and professor at the University of St. Thomas Law School in Minneapolis, will play the part of Caiaphas, the Jewish high priest in the biblical narrative of the trial.

Jeanne Bishop, a public defender from Chicago and board member of Murder Victims Families for Human Rights, will play Jesus’ defense council. Corinna Lain, a former prosecutor in Henrico and professor and associate dean of faculty development at University of Richmond School of Law, will serve as judge. 

Law students will serve as witnesses and co-counsel. The audience will serve as the jury, with a discussion after the audience returns its verdict.

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