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Santa goes to court in Miracle on the Circle

Santa is aquitted for in time for Christmas
Kris Kringle went on trial in the holiday reenactment of “Miracle on 34th Street” at Superior Court in Georgetown. More than 300 Sussex County elementary school students were witness to the event. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
December 23, 2022

Kris Kringle went on trial at the Sussex County Courthouse Dec. 13, to see if he was indeed the real Santa Claus. The holiday reenactment of “Miracle on 34th Street” was performed for more than 300 Sussex County elementary school students. Santa, aka Family Court Judge James McGiffin, played the lead role in the performances. Retired Judge Jane Brady reprised her role as the defense attorney. Other officials participating in the performance include lawyer Rob Gibbs, lawyer Bliss Soucek, Superior Court Judge Craig Karsintz and his wife Kathi, and Chief of Community Relations Sean O'Sullivan. 

Karsnitz played the role of the judge who slams his gavel and declares that Santa is real.

 

Kris Kringle waves to the crowd as Santa’s defense attorney Jane Brady explains to the students that he is the actual Santa Claus.
Kris Kringle enters the courtroom.
Bliss Soucek reads the charges brought against Kris Kringle to prove he is not the real Santa Claus.
Defense attorney Jane Brady lays out her case to the crowd in the gallery.
Superior Court Judge Craig Karsnitz ruled on the case.
Lawyer Rob Gibbs plays the role of the state psychologist who testifies that Santa is real.
Kathi Karsnitz plays the part of Macy’s owner Mrs. RH Macy. She testifies that Kris Kringle is Santa.
Claire Nagle plays the part of prosecutor Bliss Soucek’s daughter, who testifies that her mom told her that Santa was real. Here she points to the real Santa in the defense chair.
The postmaster, aka Chief of Community Relations Sean O'Sullivan, declares that if Santa receives letters, then he must be real.
Court bailiff Tony Sommers pours out hundreds of letters addressed to Santa at the North Pole.
Defense attorney Jane Brady explains the court proceedings to the students in the gallery.
Santa leads students in a Christmas carol after the verdict is given.
Fifth-graders from Lewes Elementary get excited for the verdict. Shown in back are (l-r) Santos Ramos-Ramirez, Ayden Bonilla-Merced, Hailey Kuhfahl, Tongjia Shi and Adriana Lopez Carrillo. In front are Whit Lepps, Austin Rowlands, Kate Ingerski, Aniya Murray, Erin Mayo and Anna Farrell.
Santa applauds the students in attendance.
Students from Lewes Elementary watch the proceedings.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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