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.
Part of my objections to the death penalty is being taken care of by better DNA testing and better forensics, as long as the particular police dept has good forensic protocols.
by Tammy Garrison7/22/2015 5:12:20 PM
@Kristle I thought so too. He looks almost upset. I looked at him when Orman kept talking about "that little girl" and he seemed like he didn't like that either.
by Della (Me)7/22/2015 5:12:22 PM
@kdsmith Deterrence is a stated goal of the DP, but numerous studies have shown that it does not achieve that goal in any sense.
by panda9117/22/2015 5:12:24 PM
LG- I thought that was the case as well...Interesting...
by fascinated7/22/2015 5:12:27 PM
You cant dodge the fact that he actually commited murder
by Relliot Odgers 7/22/2015 5:12:31 PM
spengler looks like shes playing on an ipad
by JG7/22/2015 5:12:36 PM
why was jh given a public defender?
by wonderbread7/22/2015 5:12:36 PM
Retribution was the reason they executed people in the biblical times. Glad to see we have advanced past that......
by panda9117/22/2015 5:12:38 PM
Judge Samour has finished ruling on which PowerPoint slides will be allowed. The jury is now being brought in.
by anica.padilla7/22/2015 5:13:14 PM
almost lunchtime...
by mandi7/22/2015 5:15:46 PM
Another moderator is taking over updating comments while I follow the trial. Thank you for your patience.
by anica.padilla7/22/2015 5:16:50 PM
I'm counting, be patient
by NT87/22/2015 5:17:47 PM
And just because the death sentence isn't handed down doesn't mean DP cases are rare in Colorado. Check out David Bueno, Edward Montour, Miguel Perez.
by CSP7/22/2015 5:17:50 PM
Yes, Spengler looks like she's reading a book on her nook. A poet and don't know it.
by Kristle7/22/2015 5:17:53 PM
do the alternate jurors still have to be present ?
by Humble Pride7/22/2015 5:17:56 PM
If Gov. Hickenlooper is known that he won't sign the DP warrent, then how much of his term is left? can he run again? and can a new Co. Gov. sign it during their term?
by treegirl7/22/2015 5:18:03 PM
And he's def losing weight
by Della (Me)7/22/2015 5:18:05 PM
Let's ignore the new names trying to stir the pot again...this is getting ridiculous. Those of us who have followed and participated from the onset disagree with each other respectfully, learn from one another, and are not here to provoke...
by fascinated7/22/2015 5:18:15 PM
O my goodness FINALLY 3 hours later!!! Thank you to the jury for being so understanding through all these!
by LG7/22/2015 5:18:18 PM
does anyone elses feed keep freezing? please
by Aly7/22/2015 5:18:21 PM
@CSP. Yes that was a DP case, but I think you and I have a different definition of what constitutes one that is considered "High Profile".
by Just Thinkin7/22/2015 5:18:26 PM
@panda...thou shall not kill was part of the Bible too...we have clearly not advanced past that...commit a Biblical crime, get a Biblical punishment...seems fair enough!
by PA Watcher7/22/2015 5:18:32 PM
wonderbread... it's called Miranda rights.
by Mark7/22/2015 5:18:34 PM
What's the final sustained/overruled count?
by Lynn7/22/2015 5:18:37 PM
Interesting to me that the PT team at the front desk is the Team that did all the speaking during the trail!!
by LG7/22/2015 5:18:41 PM
Thanks Anica for YOUR patience with us!!
by Just Thinkin7/22/2015 5:18:43 PM
Thank you Anica!!
by LG7/22/2015 5:18:44 PM
good job anica, Thank you!!!
by happy7/22/2015 5:18:45 PM
wonderbread, he is being defended by the public defender's office.
by Tammy Garrison7/22/2015 5:18:47 PM
OK my count so far this morning. 53 objections: 41 over ruled for the PT 12 Sustained for the DT best I could do.
by NT87/22/2015 5:18:53 PM
So the jury coming in is only 7 people??
by Kristle7/22/2015 5:18:55 PM
Good eye Della. He has lost weight.
by Kristle7/22/2015 5:18:59 PM
@treegirl... it will be YEARS before it would get to the desk of the Govn to sign it either way
by LG7/22/2015 5:19:21 PM
LG- There is often a "fact team" and a "mitigation team" in order to split up the work.
by CSP7/22/2015 5:19:31 PM
thank you anica , based on this i hope i learn something myself
by Relliot Odgers 7/22/2015 5:22:20 PM
am thinking we'll be going through the instructions and then going to lunch.
by Tammy Garrison7/22/2015 5:22:23 PM
See the judge calls it sentencing hearing not trial as Brady said.
by Suzanne7/22/2015 5:22:27 PM
@Just- precedent is only set at "high profile cases"
by CSP7/22/2015 5:22:30 PM
Wish you would post my stats. ask Anica
by NT87/22/2015 5:22:35 PM
JH was appointed a public defender since he most likely could not afford a "Matlock" or "Perry Mason".
by Nadine7/22/2015 5:22:40 PM
Murder pretending to be crazy again now that the jury is back
by cb7/22/2015 5:22:43 PM
Now JH seems to be smiling or is that his jury face??
by Kristle7/22/2015 5:22:46 PM
@wonderbread--His family obviously wouldn't, or couldn't, hire private defense attorneys for him and JH couldn't afford to pay for private attorneys himself. The only other way he could have been defended by private attorneys is if someone had offered to take on his case 'pro bono' or possibly in exchange for some type of exclusive chance to capitalize on his miserable story after the trial is over.
by flip7/22/2015 5:22:51 PM
Who is losing weight? That Guy? He looks like he's gained weight.