Theater shooting day 57: Phase 2 continues with defense witnesses

Defense attorneys for James Holmes will continue to call mitigating witnesses in an attempt to convince the jury to spare the convicted mass shooter from the death penalty.

3rd & 7 37yd

I find these testimonies completely ridiculous and unbelievable. Holmes was a grown man when he did this, not that shy, "respectable" boy you knew. Clearly his childhood was normal and fabulous, yeah, we got that. His parents aren't on trial, he is. Just called his dad stand-offish? Yeah, good choice of words. Also, that's on the record. Gosh, this is absurd.

by Kels 7/28/2015 4:00:53 PM
I thought this was a trial blog?

by Me 7/28/2015 4:01:07 PM
Bidwell says she visited the Holmes' family more than once and seen them annually

by Phil Tenser 7/28/2015 4:01:08 PM
he took a job with FICO ...jeeze

by David Ford 7/28/2015 4:01:24 PM
Seems like the son is much like the father, will be interesting to hear the father testify, we may get some insight, don't know exactly what, maybe family dynamics had some bearing somehow ?

by bonz 7/28/2015 4:01:27 PM
Did the question "Are bench conferences going to be made public" get answered from yesterday?

by Cindy L 7/28/2015 4:01:45 PM
@CindyL: I didn't see/hear that question yesterday, but I can say they will not be made public unless and until a complete copy of the transcript is made public -- and that usually doesn't happen

by Phil Tenser 7/28/2015 4:02:20 PM
oks, I disagree with you. JH does not deserve to be shown any compassion. He didn't have one ounce of compassion in his heart when he went to the theater and started shooting.

by Liz 7/28/2015 4:03:38 PM
Did they also visit 'Wally World' and take 'Jimmy' on all the rides!

by Marti 7/28/2015 4:03:40 PM
yes..they visited Disneyland

by David Ford 7/28/2015 4:05:56 PM
yes, the family does have much bearing considering the genetic history of mental illness that was considerable in so many family members, although it might have missed his parents and sister

by okx 7/28/2015 4:06:01 PM
Theory on Ms. Nelson's temper tantrum - It seems that the court transcripts are being viewed as they are typed by council on both sides? I would guess whatever GB and TB were discussing was not making her very happy! Phil - can you ask this question about the court recorder'd record - is it being viewed by council as it happens? thanks

by Pcmamnim 7/28/2015 4:06:13 PM
@okx, I'll show compassion for JH on the day he admits he's a monster and should die for what he did!

by jbs 7/28/2015 4:06:20 PM
Wonder what she thought when she heard what he had done?

by flop 7/28/2015 4:06:28 PM
So which is it since this witness changes her testimony to fit the question, was 'Jimmy' quiet and reserved, or did he laugh alot???

by Marti 7/28/2015 4:06:35 PM
was this not the time that they claimed he tried to cut his wrists with cardboard?

by happy 7/28/2015 4:06:38 PM
liz that's not how compassion works so look it up

by okx 7/28/2015 4:06:40 PM
This is the most frustrating part of the trial (in my opinion). To sit here and listen to what a great kid he was is sickening. I cannot imagine what the victims and their families must be thinking. I'm sure they were good kids as well... who don't kill people. There is absolutely no way that the mitigating factors outweigh the aggravating factors.

by Jennifer 7/28/2015 4:06:43 PM
I don't think JH deserves compassion either!

by Joey 7/28/2015 4:06:49 PM
Bidwell wouldn't describe defendant as rude, mean, or an attention seeker

by Phil Tenser 7/28/2015 4:07:25 PM
- Quote
"Jimmy was rather shy and could be quiet... but he was intelligent and had a very good sense of humor."

by Phil Tenser 7/28/2015 4:07:57 PM
@Okx I would love to know what kind of degree you have?

by Joey 7/28/2015 4:08:03 PM
hurry...its break time.....JH was a real nice family guy

by David Ford 7/28/2015 4:08:04 PM
@Cindy, After the Arias trial ended, transcripts of sidebars were released, unless they were sealed.

by LoriJ 7/28/2015 4:08:05 PM
crucify him! crucify him!

by wonderbread 7/28/2015 4:08:06 PM
- Quote
"When I first heard it on the news I called because I thought, 'This can't be possible.'"

by Phil Tenser 7/28/2015 4:08:25 PM
@Jennifer I agree this is very frustrating,

by Humble Pride 7/28/2015 4:08:26 PM
Bidwell says she loves the Holmes family, including the defendant, and she supports them all

by Phil Tenser 7/28/2015 4:08:40 PM
No questions from the prosecution

by Phil Tenser 7/28/2015 4:08:51 PM
oh well,lack of compassion, goes with the territory of accepting the DP

by okx 7/28/2015 4:08:53 PM
please don't crucify him

by David Ford 7/28/2015 4:08:54 PM
Judge is ready for the morning recess and is sending the jury out with a reminder to "stay healthy"

by Phil Tenser 7/28/2015 4:09:15 PM
I wonder if Stepehn Moton, Caleb Medley or any of the 12 dead would love a river raft trip, oh wait they can't thanks to the Defendant.

by Abrandt 7/28/2015 4:09:21 PM
I understand that emotions are running high…but comments like "crucify him!" really have no place here.

by Clancy 7/28/2015 4:09:46 PM
@Jennifer, amen girl.

by Kels 7/28/2015 4:09:49 PM
Ha ha Judge Samour: Stay healthy.

by MyraJ 7/28/2015 4:13:16 PM
Looks like there are LOTS of JH supporters in the room today!!

by LG 7/28/2015 4:13:22 PM
I wonder if they have anyone on their witness list who can attest to the changes they claim JH made. IMO, someone who could tell first hand that he changed from a good kid to what he became would carry much more weight with the jury than those who seem to be reminiscing about "the good ol'days"

by Suzi Lewis 7/28/2015 4:13:33 PM
There is really no reason to try to censor other people's comments. People are passionate about this case. Read past it if you'd like, but if the moderators don't censor it, no reason for posters to try. People are allowed their opinion.

by Marsha Laurienti 7/28/2015 4:13:40 PM
My only sister was murdered, she was 20, I was 16, the pain NEVER goes away. With my dad gone it is only my mom and me and it would've been great to have a sister, have my 4 year old daughter have an aunt, do all those fun things that JH did with his family with her and with mine.

by Danielle 7/28/2015 4:13:49 PM
amen Jennifer

by David Ford 7/28/2015 4:13:51 PM
I'm wondering what were his parent's ages when their children were born. (no reason, just curious)

by Resa 7/28/2015 4:13:53 PM
Good morning (afternoon here)! I had to go into school this morning, so I missed the goings on. Did I miss anything overly important?

by litprof 7/28/2015 4:13:57 PM
All of the parents in this trial have a special and unique kind of pain they will have to live with. Whether their child's life was taken, they were injured, of their child did something terrible and unforgivable... I would not switch places with any one of them

by Lynn 7/28/2015 4:14:01 PM
When I was 11 I was at my aunt's home w/ her daughter {my cousin}... the cousin threatened to kill my aunt. I found out later that my cousin had schizophrenia and had or was committed to a mental hospital at the time. I had another cousin who developed paranoid schizophrenia in her young adulthood. When I saw her decades later she was fearful and her face looked haggard. She had been homeless for a number of years. But thankfully they were the only mentally ill family members. This schizophrenia diagnosis is devastating to the person who has this brain disease. Yet I still think Holmes should get the death penalty. But if he doesn't get it I'm fine with that but to a lesser degree.

by Cindy L 7/28/2015 4:22:28 PM