Theater shooting trial day 53: Start of the penalty process

Day 53 in the Aurora movie theater shooting trial – People vs. James Eagan Holmes. Today, the penalty phase of the case begins. The jury found Holmes to be legally sane and therefore guilty when he went into the midnight premiere of the Dark Knight Rises in an Aurora, Colorado, movie theater and opened fire on the audience, killing 12 and wounding 70.

3rd & 7 37yd

@CSP I understand that just made note that they were split up like they are today which they have never been in this sitting arrangement through out the entire case... until today!

by LG 7/22/2015 5:23:01 PM
@Just- Correction- precedent is NOT just set at high profile cases

by CSP 7/22/2015 5:28:06 PM
I don't think the DT is going to get all of their mitigating witness in today...hmmm...
" 'Strategery", perhaps?

by fascinated 7/22/2015 5:28:10 PM
Love watching JH, as he listens to the options the jury will consider about his future...pretty grim. Right Tammy???

by kdsmith 7/22/2015 5:28:13 PM
That looked like a fake yawn by JH.

by Kristle 7/22/2015 5:28:14 PM
LG- the mitigation team has moved up front.

by CSP 7/22/2015 5:28:16 PM
53 Objections

by NT8 7/22/2015 5:28:18 PM
I think JH is so nervous right now, that when he S.*t's...it comes out in liquid form and continually. Hence...the weight loss. LOL Retribution begins!

by kdsmith 7/22/2015 5:28:22 PM
wasted morning

by NT8 7/22/2015 5:28:23 PM
@CSP I think you and I are just arguing semantics. Obviously "lesser' cases set precedent and are referred to in future cases. But "high profile" cases bring out the "big guns" on both sides and IMO if something is set during that type of case will have a higher chance of setting "precedence" because of the extra weight the case was given from all sides.

by Just Thinkin 7/22/2015 5:31:17 PM
Once again the accused has more rights than the victims. strange system.

by Humble Pride 7/22/2015 5:31:19 PM
@Kdsmith that was such a incorrect statement to even say that's not needed or wanted I feel!!!

by LG 7/22/2015 5:31:21 PM
Guard under monitor seems to fall asleep from time to time. Lol

by Suzanne 7/22/2015 5:35:48 PM
He cant dodge the death sentence

by Relliot Odgers 7/22/2015 5:35:50 PM
@Just- for the record, many of the lawyers present here were present on those cases I listed, so I guess those cases involved "big guns" too.

by CSP 7/22/2015 5:35:53 PM
@LG - Which statement? This guys an animal (with sweet Veronica as one of his victims) and our system needs to stop catering to them. Period (.).

by kdsmith 7/22/2015 5:37:08 PM
@CSP I understand who is who on the PT ... but thanks!

by LG 7/22/2015 5:37:10 PM
The education system frowns on independent thoughts and now we ask the jurors to use independent thoughts, how is that possible ?

by Humble Pride 7/22/2015 5:37:13 PM
Do I detect a lot of pro jh people are upset with the turn of events?

by NT8 7/22/2015 5:37:16 PM
They only have like half an hour to an hour before lunch. I bet lunch is limited to an hour because of the morning issues!

by Kristle 7/22/2015 5:37:19 PM
Questions for okx and anyone else who would have voted NGBRI, not to argue but because these are the sticking points for me (and I started out thinking he was insane). How do you distinguish this case from the acts of pedophiles, serial killers, serial rapists, arsonists, etc., all of whom are driven by psychologically sick impulses they may have been born with or did not choose for themselves? We still hold them accountable for their actions. And if JH's mental illness created the delusion that murder brought him value, then how does the fact that he did those murders despite knowing it was illegal and wrong but he wanted the value, how does that differ from ordinary bank robbers and thieves? It seems the delusion related to the value proposition, not the knowing illegality or wrongness of the act. The mental illness made him delusional, but he still acted voluntarily on those delusions just like 'regular' criminals. I'd really like to understand your thoughts on this.

by Sophiamtn@gmail.com 7/22/2015 5:37:27 PM
Kdsmith-I wish. I think this is alllll an ENORMOUS and expensive focus on him that makes him feel validated and worthwhile. It appears this process is something that he so desperately wanted & needed. Which is why he opened fire on innocent people in a packed theater. His self esteem (or lack thereof) required he would settle for nothing less. I think he is LOVING this. He testified that he didn't plan for a life outside of incarceration. He gets the noteriety and infamy he was seeking. :( !!!

by fascinated 7/22/2015 5:37:54 PM
@kidsmith- inappropriate comment for this blog

by TLR 7/22/2015 5:37:57 PM
@Humble: I've thought that since he was arrested. He's been treated respectfully.

by Kristle 7/22/2015 5:37:58 PM
Ok - i was trying to listen but got confused. What just happened? Why didn't anyone present any information for phase 1?

by Molly 7/22/2015 5:40:08 PM
I guess the governor John Hickenlooper Says James Holmes Won't get the death penalty because he doesn't believe in it!!! WHAT THE FRENCH TOAST!!

by JG 7/22/2015 5:43:29 PM
MySpace? Ok, judge! :)

by Lynn 7/22/2015 5:43:31 PM
@tlr how is that inappropriate?

by blue 7/22/2015 5:43:34 PM
verdicts must be unanimous - that will be a sticking point. IMO they will be hung and sentence will be life in prison w/o parole

by mandi 7/22/2015 5:43:37 PM
@ Kristie I agree JH was treated fairly and with respect and I think that the judge was very care full about protecting JH rights but now that JH is a convicted felon I just thought that the court would look at him differenly.

by Humble Pride 7/22/2015 5:43:44 PM
@Molly - no new evidence. both teams will have arguments. PT needs to highlight aggravating factors to prove their case of this phase

by mandi 7/22/2015 5:43:47 PM
Ahhhh....so the alternates are in the courtroom too. I wonder if the alternates are glad NOW that they are alternates.

by Kristle 7/22/2015 5:43:49 PM
@Molly..no evidence because all the aggravating factors were proved during trial. The defense has no evidential defense against them. They however will both have arguments before deliberations.

by Lori J 7/22/2015 5:43:51 PM
I agree...it's SO irritating that half the trial is all about the KILLER's rights. I understand the judicial process and the importance of it. BUT.......I doubt the defendant thought about the victim's rights at ANY point during the commission of the crime.

by nic 7/22/2015 5:46:00 PM
Sophia, please don't encourage ObnoKXious (spelling intended)

by Loz 7/22/2015 5:46:04 PM
With ya, fascinated. and I hope you are not talking to me, kdsmith. I take this very seriously.

by Tammy Garrison 7/22/2015 5:46:09 PM
Not sure, I just tuned in, so far all I've heard is the judge or whatever giving instructions.

by FistPump 7/22/2015 5:46:11 PM
Defense will present witnesses for mitigating factors.

by Lori J 7/22/2015 5:46:13 PM
Brady's thinking "yeah!! No tweets!!"

by Kristle 7/22/2015 5:46:15 PM
Was getting caught part of his plan?

by Agent Bill Wilson 7/22/2015 5:46:17 PM
@molly sort of a one and done. either decision has to be unanimous. if they are unanimously in favor of the dp, the teams will get the chance to convince them otherwise or more concrete to keep their mindset. if they are not unanimous now, it's likely they never will be. so if they want the dp, they will say that and continue, and if they can't decide it's automatic lwop.

by blue 7/22/2015 5:46:21 PM
@ fascinated - If this is the attention he was looking for, then lets call him what he is and hope he never experiences peace again.

by kdsmith 7/22/2015 5:46:25 PM
LOL!! MySpace!! Might as well add NetZero.

by Kristle 7/22/2015 5:46:27 PM
@mandi what makes you think they will be hung? not trying to argue.. is it just a feeling you have?

by blue 7/22/2015 5:46:30 PM
flip. way different kind of intelligences of ways of being in the living world. if your opinions have anything to do justice, as a form of deepest emotions, it can't be a one sided expression. Love and Hate are just concepts. Kill and Mercy are actions, that also need to be exchanged.

by oxk 7/22/2015 5:46:35 PM