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

Just because he was a good kid growing up, doesn't mean that he is decent human being now. I think that all of this testimony is clouding the real issues at hand.

by kat 7/28/2015 4:22:31 PM
yes..you missed friends giving JH a good reference

by David Ford 7/28/2015 4:22:34 PM
@Lynn..... Well spoken

by trl2 7/28/2015 4:22:37 PM
I'm so sorry for your loss, Danielle. :(

by Marsha Laurienti 7/28/2015 4:22:40 PM
@Danielle very sorry this happened to you. I wish you comfort and peace for your life.

by MyraJ 7/28/2015 4:22:42 PM
I would like to hear the victim impact statements. I hope it moves to phase 3 so the survivors who have either been injured or lost a loved one have a chance to have their voices heard.

by Danielle 7/28/2015 4:22:51 PM
Pitch forks, torches, hate and ignorance....

That's an unhealthy way to live. When you live with that much hate in your heart, you do things like open fire in a crowded movie theater. Learning forgiveness, moving on and rising above makes you better and sets you apart from all the ugliness.

by Me 7/28/2015 4:22:54 PM
"JH supporters"? Really? Because some folks here see the depth of human tragedy on both sides of the aisle?

by Clancy 7/28/2015 4:23:00 PM
Danielle- I pray for many happy blessings and good memories to be had in spite of that tragedy.

by TLR 7/28/2015 4:23:02 PM
I just feel like all of this testimony is smoke and mirrors put on by the defense to obscure the real horror that was imposed on the entire community of Aurora at the hands of JH.

by kat 7/28/2015 4:23:04 PM
@Lynn, Thank you for that thoughtful comment.

by Clancy 7/28/2015 4:23:05 PM
Good morning Phil, thank you (and all of 7News) for your work on this trial. I am curious if it would be appropriate to have a poll regarding the number of people in the chat room that are in support of or opposed to the death penalty in general. Again, not specifically related to this case necessarily but a poll of overall opinion. (also you do not need to post this publicly just a thought as it may have already been done). Thanks!

by LjM 7/28/2015 4:23:11 PM
@Danielle my heart breaks for you. I'm sorry to hear about your loss.

by Della (Me) 7/28/2015 4:23:13 PM
It is reasonable to think the jury did not consider the subtle insights that would have weighted insanity differently. I don't believe his heart is dark as his action would infer.

by okx 7/28/2015 4:23:14 PM
by Phil Tenser 7/28/2015 4:23:44 PM
@Clancy You seem to have a good heart.

by Me 7/28/2015 4:25:10 PM
Must go out. Hoping for good wifi to follow along. Be back later.

by MyraJ 7/28/2015 4:26:08 PM
Forgiveness has nothing to do with having consequences for your actions.

by Jennifer 7/28/2015 4:26:09 PM
@Me. Thank you.

by Clancy 7/28/2015 4:27:57 PM
coming from the uk where we dont have the death penalty i am unsure which way to vote Part of me think yes it should be allowed but another part says no

by markefc_ 7/28/2015 4:28:00 PM
@Della Thank You. That is a very kind thing to say. With murder the pain of the loss tends to never really heal. I've lost a lot of people, but nothing compares to losing Michelle.

by Danielle 7/28/2015 4:28:02 PM
I feel the need to clarify. I've said it before. I'm generally against the death penalty, but in this particular case, I feel it is warranted.

by Tammy Garrison 7/28/2015 4:28:05 PM
I feel bad for the victims and victims families to have to listen to this. They will not have this with their loved ones.

by Steve 7/28/2015 4:29:36 PM
@Loz, In response to your last note to me, I'm willing to post any and all respectful opinions. You can disagree, but not attack another commenter.

by Phil Tenser 7/28/2015 4:30:17 PM
Phil- I can't answer that question so cut and dried- My morals and religious beliefs tell me to be against- but I have come to the realization that for this trial I could be moved to the DP. That is hard for my heart to bare

by TLR 7/28/2015 4:30:21 PM
Thanks to everyone who has said such kind things to me. Our murderer confessed to the crime and killed himself the following day (with a gun, same as he used on my sister). Having him dead really doesn't take away the pain, except to say that he doesn't get to breathe my same air and there is comfort in that.

by Danielle 7/28/2015 4:30:37 PM
the poll indicates NOT related to this case

by klincos 7/28/2015 4:30:40 PM
then again we dont have guns here either so i guess if your going to go out with guns and all those bullets i guess you deserve the death penalty At least your having a trial which is more than his victims got

by markefc_ 7/28/2015 4:30:42 PM
I am also against the death penalty in most cases, but I feel it is appropriate in this offense.

by Suzi Lewis 7/28/2015 4:30:46 PM
Judge is back in the room

by Phil Tenser 7/28/2015 4:31:58 PM
@Jennifer can you explain your statement on forgiveness and consequences (punishment?)

by okx 7/28/2015 4:32:24 PM
I'm curious as to why the PT would object when DT witnesses describe the shooting as "horrific" and get upset as the lady from Portland did. I would think that this would play more in favor of the PT than the DT.

by pc 7/28/2015 4:32:27 PM
I don't support the DP overall, it think it should only be reserved for extreme cases . .. for cases so unthinkable that we as society say there no other punishment acceptable but death. This case is THAT unthinkable to me

by Just Thinkin 7/28/2015 4:32:39 PM
I get tired of watching the testimony twice.

by rod 7/28/2015 4:32:41 PM
IMO Mr. Holmes will die a natural death behind bars one way or the other so it is moot. Only difference is if given death (which more than likely will never be carried out) is that the taxpayers will pay a LOT more money and it will drag out in the courts for a LOT longer. The truly informed will realize that LWOP is a far greater punishment.

by klincos 7/28/2015 4:32:44 PM
Getting back to work in the courtroom

by Phil Tenser 7/28/2015 4:33:02 PM
@Jennifer... consequences still result in spite of forgiveness. Forgiveness is a personal act of giving up your personal vengeance/right to punish. It frees the person offering it, but does not remove the consequences for the person doing a wrong.

by trl2 7/28/2015 4:33:06 PM
Plenty of people in Colorado are against the DP in general, but would happily make an exception in this case.

Cases like this are why the DP still exists. It's not a black and white issue for most people.

by Mark 7/28/2015 4:34:04 PM
Interesting that those who want to paint the group as DP advocates don't like it so much when they get painted as JH supporters. Few, if any, of us really know where the others stand. Opinions are the property of the bearer and I'm just glad that I can get a glimpse into how others feel about this.

by Suzi Lewis 7/28/2015 4:34:09 PM
Jury is back in the courtroom

by Phil Tenser 7/28/2015 4:34:29 PM
LWOP is what he wants, he is afraid of dying.

by Wildhorse 7/28/2015 4:34:33 PM
- New Witness
Higgs calls Mark Bidwell to testify for the defense

by Phil Tenser 7/28/2015 4:34:54 PM
@justthinkin....I couldn't agree with you more!!

by TammyC 7/28/2015 4:34:56 PM
Right, trl2. Forgiveness is about you, not the perp, and there is a difference between forgiving and forgetting.

by Tammy Garrison 7/28/2015 4:35:12 PM
Bidwell confirms Lori is his wife, and that he knows the Holmes family

by Phil Tenser 7/28/2015 4:36:09 PM