At 24 years old, Gabriel O. Lucas never imagined the impact of winning ABA ROLI’s National Mock Trial Competition would have on his life. Hundreds of Mexican law students participate in the U.S.-funded competition, seeking to showcase their abilities to fight for justice in the criminal justice system. Of the many initiatives that ABA ROLI administers in Mexico, the most notable ones are the National Mock Trial and National Mediation and Restorative Justice Competitions. In preparation for the national competitions, ABA ROLI’s Mexico office partners with local law schools to strengthen law students’ litigation, mediation and restorative justice skills in the context of Mexico’s accusatorial criminal system. Since the project’s inception in 2013, ABA ROLI has reached more than 6,000 law students representing all thirty-two Mexican states, 935 law school professors, and 237 law schools through technical skills training sessions and the administration of nationwide mock trial and mediation competitions. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.
Gabriel, together with a close group of friends, formed the team that would later be selected to represent their law school at the National Mock Trial competition. Following months of studying, practicing, guidance from professors, perseverance and commitment, their hard work led them to victory as they came in first place in both the regional and national competitions. The team then won an internship in Mexico City with ABA ROLI’s Mexico office and in due course qualified to attend the final Champion of Champions Competition in Washington D.C. The team’s journey in D.C. ended with hugs and laughter as they lifted their 1st place championship trophy in the air.
Following his success in the competitions, Gabriel finished his studies and used his knowledge in criminal law to ace the CENEVAL exam (Mexico’s exam to practice law). With the vast amount of skills and knowledge he gained through ABA ROLI, Gabriel felt he was ready for the next stage in his life. It was a series of firsts for him, as he began his first job as a prosecutor in the Attorney General’s office and his first Detention Control Hearing. Through it all he was able to personally experience the impact that his work as a lawyer had on the lives of others. Soon enough, Gabriel accepted a new position in the High Impact Unit of the Regional Vice-Prosecutor’s Office in Cuenca, Oaxaca. Accepting this position was a major change for Gabriel. He not only had to leave his hometown, but also had greater responsibilities, including coordinating a team of prosecutors and investigative agents. However, Gabriel took this opportunity head-on and found that he was able to adapt seamlessly.
June 9th, 2020, three months into Gabriel’ new job, a 16-year-old boy, Alexander Martinez, who had dreams of playing soccer professionally, was shot and killed by police in the village of Vicente Camalote in Oaxaca. Martinez’s death followed that of a 33-year old construction worker, Giovanni Lopez, who was tortured and killed in police custody on May 4th, 2020. These events ignited a wave of protests throughout Mexico, where civilians voiced their concerns of cases of police brutality and abuse.
The issue of police brutality in Mexico has persisted for decades. Mexico ranks 130 out of 198 countries on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) (where 1 is the least corrupt and 198 is the most corrupt), with reported instances of widespread policy brutality. The war on drugs in the country has further escalated the brutality of law enforcement with cases of torture rising from 320 a year in 2006 to 2100 in 2012. A culture of indifference within the authorities that should be holding law enforcement accountable, allows this behavior to continue, including the militarization of police forces nationwide.
In the case of Alexander Martinez, Gabriel led a 12-hour preliminary hearing, which initiated the fight for justice against police brutality. The preliminary hearing began the process to hold those responsible for this tragedy accountable to their actions. Following the hearing, the judge issued a ruling for a complementary investigation would be carried out wherein the prosecution would obtain evidence against the police officers. Gabriel considers himself fortunate to be a part of this investigative team seeking justice for Alexander Martinez. In conjunction with putting to practice the skills he gained from ABA ROLI, he’s also aiming to bring healing and peace to the victims of police brutality within his own community.
Gabriel believes that his achievements thus far would not have been possible without the support of others. Between his friends, teachers, colleagues, and family there was always someone there to teach and encourage him to improve. The skills and knowledge he gained from ABA ROLI’s Mexico Litigation Competitions left a significant impact on the person and lawyer he has become. Gabriel states that if he had not been a participant of the IV Edition of the National Mock Trial Competition he would not have been able to travel to Washington D.C., and gain pertinent knowledge in litigation for criminal law and procedure needed to pass his CENEVAL exam, become a prosecutor and take on the fight against police brutality for Martinez and others. ABA ROLI’s Mexico program has taught Gabriel what it means to be a part of a group of people that aim to do their best, support each other, share knowledge and build a fairer society for everyone. Gabriel is proud to be part of the ABA ROLI Mexico family and is using his experience to support his community, combat crucial issues and incite change.
#JusticeForGiovanni #JusticeForAlexander #FightAgainstPoliceBrutality #MexicoAgainstPoliceBrutality #WithoutPoliceBrutality
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