Written by Ember Pera
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, CA— On February 12, 2026, Templeton High School defeated
Morro Bay High School in the championship round of the San Luis Obispo County High School
Mock Trial Tournament. Morro Bay entered the finals as the three-time defending champion,
making this a significant accomplishment for Templeton, giving them the opportunity to
represent their county at the California State Mock Trial Competition in Oakland.
With this win, Templeton secured its 11th county championship, more than any other school in
the county, and its first title in 14 years. The victory comes in the second year of the revitalized
Mock Trial program launched by Templeton’s Attorney Coach James Scharf.
The San Luis Obispo County Mock Trial Tournament is co-sponsored by the SLO Women
Lawyers Association, the SLO County Office of Education, and the SLO County Superior Court.
The annual competition provides students with the chance to experience an authentic courtroom
environment as teams prepare both sides of a case, serving as pretrial attorneys, trial attorneys,
witnesses, and court staff, and competing before presiding judges and local attorneys.
In this year’s case, People v. Fromholz, Haley Fromholz, a contestant on the reality television
show Recipe For Success, was charged with first-degree murder, and alternatively, involuntary
manslaughter, in the death of celebrity judge Morgan Sears. The prosecution alleged that
Fromholz served poisonous heartstopper mushrooms during the show’s semi-final challenge,
motivated by a longstanding feud and a $250,000 prize. The defense countered that Fromholz
lacked the premeditation required for first-degree murder, and that the evidence pointed towards
reasonable doubt.
In the championship round, the prosecution centered its case around the theme of a “recipe for
revenge,” arguing that the evidence showed deliberate and calculated retaliation. Templeton’s
defense countered this, claiming that “a reasonable mistake does not a murder make,”
maintaining that confusion over mushroom identification and competing theories of
responsibility undermined the prosecution’s burden of proof. Presiding Judge Whitehead
ultimately rendered a verdict of involuntary manslaughter.
Templeton’s team was coached by James Scharf, Merrill Haber, Jessenya Guerra, and Fernando
Ramirez. Templeton students earned individual recognition for their outstanding performances
during the tournament. Three students received first-place honors: Diego Porras for Best Brief
Writing, Ember Pera for Best Courtroom Journalist, and Giuliana Gonzales for Best Clerk.
Templeton High School will represent San Luis Obispo County at the California State Mock
Trial Competition this March in Oakland, competing against top teams from across the state.