Action-Ed is showcasing TropiCanada, a country made up of Grade 11 social studies students from Fleetwood Park Secondary School, in Surrey, BC. If you would like to showcase your Civic Mirror Nation, email us your story. info@action-ed.com
SUKHI & TRICIA VS. “DANIEL the LANDLORD”
The tensions were high leading up to this case with everything at stake. As was explained in our first TropiCanada post, “Daniel the Landlord” was charged with illegal and discriminatory rental policies for kicking out – without notice – two of his tenants: Sukhi and Tricia. The national sentiments were split. The poorer citizens were hoping for a guilty verdict, hoping the courts would send a message to all the affluent TropiCanadians that human rights and freedoms must be respected. And the more affluent citizens were hoping “Daniel the Landlord” would be found innocent, sending a message that business owners could conduct their business privately, without government or judicial meddling. Everything depended on the random jury selection. The room was silent as the three jurors were selected (shown below).
Court Marshall selecting jurors for TropiCanada’s second trial.
Here we see the prosecuting team, Sukhi (left) and Tricia (right), who were evicted from “Landlord Daniel’s” apartment without notice. Sukhi argued that not only was this act a violation of his constitutional rights, but it was a crime against society because no tenants should have to worry about being thrown out on the streets without notice.
Prosecuting Team
This is “Daniel the Landlord,” the defendant. In his opening speech to the jury he reframed the issue, saying that his rights as a landlord to conduct business as he wishes were being infringed upon in this case. “It’s my business who I rent my apartment to,” he explained.
Defendant ~ Apartment Landlord Daniel P.
As the case progressed, the court was getting rather rowdy with some of the arguments being made, and Judge Cory had to threaten certain persons with contempt of court charges. Here we see him issuing the threat after smacking his gavel several times.
Judge Cory threatens contempt of court charges while court marshall looks on.
“Daniel the Landlord” had a last minute surprise for the prosecution by hiring a smooth-talking attorney (to the right). Here we see a picture of some court room action.
Picture of the court room drama unfolding. Note that “Landlord Daniel” is now being represented by his attorney.
The jury deliberated on this case for almost 10 minutes. They understood very well what was at stake. In the end they found the defendant innocent on all charges. Below we see them explaining their reasoning to the court and their belief that “Daniel the Landlord” had the right – as a private business person – to make his own business decisions.
Jurors read and explain verdict.
With Sukhi’s long list of constitutional violations and the odds stacked against him, neither “Daniel the Landlord” or his attorney expected to win the case. Here we see them celebrating after hearing the verdict of “Innocent.”
Jubilant defendant celebrates with his attorney after innocent verdict is announced.
NEXT POST
Shortly after this trial, the TropiCanada’s teacher ended the second simulated year. Find out in our next post how many citizens incurred family deaths, whether or not Sukhi & Tricia were able to find shelter for their families, and what happened in the nation’s second election.
