Is there an instruction for wanton disregard of killing children under the age of 12?

@DocJ I think he asked about a child being killed due to the police scanner that was on when he was in jail and we all could hear it on the video they played... Most people wouldn't have had a child at a Midnight showing so I don't think he went there to just kill children

Good morning everyone! I was late to hear the verdict Thursday evening, so that night was able to watch the entire proceeding on YouTube.

@Kristie I didn't see a tweet from George

Channel 7 showing AC's closing argument, waiting for the court to reconvene.

What does Deposition mean?

I thought it to be SO remarkable that neither side even blinked an eye when the verdict was read on that first murder charge. There was literally NO reaction on either side. So weird.

The last tweet I see from GB was in June 9th

@Della, the judge did lay down some courtroom courtesy rules on Thursday. I wasn't anticipating anything from the defense, but there were some smiles from Teesh-Maguire when the victims names were read, but you're right: not much from either side. This was only one hurdle. There's still so much work to do. It won't be over for a looooong time, so I bet they were trying to keep their cool.

@Della... that's because the Judge told everyone in the court room that NO out burst or reactions were allowed

It's weird to see Higgs at the front table. Notsomuch Ms. Brady, just Higgs.

I noticed right after the first name was announced with the verdict the younger detective (Orman twin) touched the leg of the older detective (they sat at the PT's back table) and he smiled at him as a nonverbal elation at the guilty of first degree murder. I can't imagine the emotions the victims and survivors felt Thursday night. Didn't hear any outbursts. Don't think I could do that.

@DocJ, allocution: the direct address between the judge and the convicted defendant prior to sentencing (this will be phase 2 and 3, as he just said allocution in phase 1 isn't necessary). During the address, the judge speaks directly to the defendant and asks if the defendant has anything to add prior to hearing the sentence. The defendant then answers the judge and may say anything in an effort to lessen the severity of the sentence, such as an apology, an offering of remorse, or an explanation of the motivations that drove the defendant's criminal actions.

An allocution or allocutus is a formal statement made to the court by the defendant who has been found guilty, prior to being sentenced. It is part of the criminal procedure in some common law jurisdictions.

An allocution, in mitigation,[clarify] allows the defendant to explain why the sentence should be lenient.

In plea bargains, an allocution may be required of the defendant; the defendant explicitly admits specifically and in detail to what he or she did and for what reason, in exchange for a reduced sentence. In principle, it removes any doubt as to the exact nature of the defendant's guilt in the matter.

The term "allocution" is used generally only in jurisdictions in the United States, though there are vaguely similar processes in other common law countries. In many other jurisdictions it is for the defense lawyer to mitigate on his client's behalf, and the defendant himself will rarely have the opportunity to speak. The right of victims to speak at sentencing is also sometimes referred to as allocution.[1]

Judge needs to find out what it means.

The judge seems done with Nelson.

DT just needs to give up

The jury isn't in today, correct?

DT has to do all of this as it will effect appeals down the road

JH is memorizing the paper he's reading. He is too fixed on it.