Theater shooting trial day 16: Prosecution continues to present evidence

Nearing the expected half-way point in the prosecution's case, they are continuing to present evidence and survivors from Aurora movie theater shooting.

3rd & 7 37yd

I wish we could see those diagrams now, while they are talking about them. It's hard to follow along.

by FMM 5/20/2015 8:18:58 PM
Just got word from my daughter: friends that were with Micayla Medek should be testifying tomorrow. They were supposed to go today but say they may get pushed to tomorrow. Bring the Kleenex when they go. It is horrifying.

by DocJ 5/20/2015 8:19:00 PM
@DocJ: How can we verify that?

by Phil Tenser 5/20/2015 8:19:12 PM
I don't think you really can have a 'clear cut line' when it comes to insanity or sanity but the Doctors will do their best to give their opinions on whatever diagnosis they have come to.

by BraddersCentric 5/20/2015 8:22:28 PM
Good info Doc!

by NT8 5/20/2015 8:22:30 PM
The other major problem is that the psych evals were done AFTER he started receiving treatment/meds. So how can anyone reasonably say that the PT psych experts opinions weren't skewed? I know I'm forecasting but I'm just extremely frustrated the State of CO allowed an insanity plea.

by deepinsidher 5/20/2015 8:23:57 PM
@Bradders, Get off it dude, That subject will be done by the Psychs. We are not talking about that during this testimony.

by NT8 5/20/2015 8:23:59 PM
- Objection
Objection sustained when he goes outside his area of expertise.

by Phil Tenser 5/20/2015 8:24:04 PM
@deepinsider - does the state have an option to deny the Insanity plea? I have no idea...which is why I am asking

by Brenda 5/20/2015 8:26:29 PM
@Brenda: A defendant can enter whatever plea is allowed under the law, then it becomes the duty of the trial process to get a jury to reach a verdict

by Phil Tenser 5/20/2015 8:27:19 PM
The ability to plan, methodical and on a grand scale or simple, has nothing to do w/ mental illness. Just because you can plan something, no matter how intricate or simple, violent intent or not, doesn't mean you're not mentally ill. Insanity means the inability to distinguish between right and wrong, not whether you're mentally ill or not. JH can be schizophrenic but not insane. Society has a very long way to go when it comes to understanding mental illness. No one should ever be ashamed to get help but w/ so many judgements and stereotypes by those who don't care or don't want to and rather stay in their little bubble w/ their incorrect information or lack of empathy, it's difficult to admit you're struggling to even those closest to you.

by Penguins219 5/20/2015 8:27:25 PM
Mills continuing to present trajectories and holes as they hit seats and other items in the theater

by Phil Tenser 5/20/2015 8:28:14 PM
the first psychs to come in were from the state, not either side. but nt is right.. not on that right now.

by sydnijmm 5/20/2015 8:28:51 PM
I've been gone for awhile, so didn't we do this before with Marie?

by Suzanne 5/20/2015 8:32:04 PM
@Suzanne: Difference now is that he is explaining entrance and exit holes

by Phil Tenser 5/20/2015 8:32:15 PM
@brenda but the court has to rule whether he can claim insanity. Correct me if I'm wrong. This is why I'm so frustrated that the State allowed this plea. If I remember correctly we spent months if not nearly a year waiting if the State would allow the insanity plea.

by deepinsidher 5/20/2015 8:33:06 PM
@deepinsidher: I don't think we waited for the state to decide. We waited months for the 2 state-ordered sanity evaluations that were the result of the plea... and those will be introduced later in the trial.

by Phil Tenser 5/20/2015 8:33:46 PM
Lets get refocused. Here's a question: What would you be thinking about this expert if you were a juror?

by Phil Tenser 5/20/2015 8:33:59 PM
Please people, enough of the sane vs insane discussion. Let's wait for the psych experts and then we can discuss.

by Liz 5/20/2015 8:35:15 PM
Seems like these trajectories are playing pinball- bouncing all around.

by Victoria 5/20/2015 8:35:16 PM
i'm thinking he knows his stuff. this part is a little on the lame side, but earlier when he was talking about the mathematics of it and all.. impressive.

by sydnijmm 5/20/2015 8:36:06 PM
Somebody Fired some serious hardware inside that Theater........

by NT8 5/20/2015 8:36:07 PM
I'm looking at the photos Phil posted...and is that the actual theater 9 that he did this reconstruction in? They must've cleaned it up before he did it.

by AJS 5/20/2015 8:36:18 PM
@AJS: If he started on July 24, as he said, the local CSI had several days to bag evidence before he even arrived

by Phil Tenser 5/20/2015 8:36:40 PM
Im all in agreement here and yes Im very impatient, not unlike most jurors, I just hope everyone can see the forest through the trees. So many trials these days are based on smoke and mirrors anything to cast an inkling of doubt. What the PT is doing is what I would consider a classic modern day defense. They are trying their hardest to inject emotion and cloud the skies with this type of testimony. Trajectory of bullets??? Really??? Is the occurrence of the event in question?

by deepinsidher 5/20/2015 8:39:20 PM
If I were a juror I'd be hanging on to his every word, while studying the pictures/diagrams, because he's giving clear insight as to what went on that night.

by Liz 5/20/2015 8:39:22 PM
@deepinsidher: Yes, they are REQUIRED to prove the event. So patience is required on the part of those watchers who are as intently interested in the psych issue as you. For me, and for us, this is equally important because this is the horror that our neighbors lived through and it is the reason why all of the issues on your mind will be important at a later date in this trial.

by Phil Tenser 5/20/2015 8:40:45 PM
The trajectories will not change, no matter the amount of cleaning.

by NT8 5/20/2015 8:40:47 PM
IMO all bullets/pellets will be found in the theater unless they were carried out of the theater because they were inside a human body.

by Kristle 5/20/2015 8:41:11 PM
@Kristle: We did hear Maria Pettolina and Nick Carroll present the items they found, and others found in the autopsy.

by Phil Tenser 5/20/2015 8:41:45 PM
@Phil...if I were a juror, I would be intently listening as well. He's showing some pretty intense evidence.

by Tammy 5/20/2015 8:42:13 PM
@Phil. Im a neighbor too

by deepinsidher 5/20/2015 8:42:47 PM
This witness knows his stuff and was incredibly meticulous... all those strings and lasers light this theater up like a Christmas tree. He wanted to make sure he was through and it shows. JH was going for maximum damage w/ little consideration to the sanctity of human life. I wish I could have seen the strings and laser trajectories in person out of interest, not out of disrespect to all those who experienced this horrid tragedy.

by Penguins219 5/20/2015 8:42:48 PM
@Phil Yes, am looking forward to jury questions.

by Kristle 5/20/2015 8:43:00 PM
I am hoping he ties the spent casings to the individual guns also. The Trajectories are also important. In theory with Stridations of bullets recovered from the bodies, and injured they can tie thos to the gun (s) also.

by NT8 5/20/2015 8:43:09 PM
If I Were A Juror: I believe I would find this guy very credible. He has done meticulous work and explains things very well.

by DocJ 5/20/2015 8:43:10 PM
Mills explains how a bullet came to be impacted on insulation behind the screen.

by Phil Tenser 5/20/2015 8:43:46 PM
That was the final diagram for trajectories Mills collected in the theater

by Phil Tenser 5/20/2015 8:44:55 PM
Video slate is a court error. Our signal is still on. Working...

by Phil Tenser 5/20/2015 8:45:18 PM
Sorry all, the correct word is bullet striations, sort of a finger print of a rifled round. Does not apply to a smooth bore shotgun.

by NT8 5/20/2015 8:58:07 PM
Scribble is dealing me fits today.... Had to restart several times.

by NT8 5/20/2015 8:58:09 PM
Judge asks PT if they are still on schedual. PT answers in the affirmative.

by DocJ 5/20/2015 8:58:11 PM
Court in break until approx 3 p.m.

by DocJ 5/20/2015 8:58:12 PM
Time for a break soon? This has been wearing on us as well as the jurors.

by DocJ 5/20/2015 8:58:13 PM
Check the plugs and cords at the courthouse, somebody yanked one out, oops!

by Penguins219 5/20/2015 8:58:13 PM