Theater shooting trial day 56: 'Phase 2' of the penalty process continues

'Phase 2' of the penalty process continues in the trial of James Holmes for the Aurora movie theater shooting. He was convicted earlier this month on 165 counts and now his defense is presenting mitigating evidence in an attempt to convince the jury his life should be spared.

3rd & 7 37yd

Domingo said he never knew of the gunman having a girlfriend until graduate school when the gunman texted him.

by anica.padilla 7/27/2015 10:43:19 PM
@Clancy I never said any of JH's witnesses condoned his crime I said I would not get on the stand for my brother or sister and not say I cannot condone their crime.

by Abrandt 7/27/2015 10:43:26 PM
- Quote
"He was not a person to say no if you needed help. He was very nice," Duong said of the gunman.

by anica.padilla 7/27/2015 10:44:01 PM
I am against the DP too....so there

by i am against the DP too...... 7/27/2015 10:44:09 PM
@Abrant None of these people condone anything he's done. They are only here to attempt to spare his life, that's all.

by Me 7/27/2015 10:44:11 PM
Lost feed here

by Heidi 7/27/2015 10:44:35 PM
@Me I was responding to a scenerio that was asked. I have not and did not ever say that any of JH's witnesses condoned his behavior. I was asked what would I do IF a family member did a crime like this.

by Abrandt 7/27/2015 10:48:18 PM
If my sisters or daughters committed a crime that didn't end in the death of others I would work my hardest to make them better people. But if they committed the crime he did their life would also be over in my eyes and they would deserve the same fate as their victims.

by CR 7/27/2015 10:48:22 PM
Yes, @Me. My point exactly.

by Clancy 7/27/2015 10:48:25 PM
Marshall here, jumping in for Anica. She's finishing reboot now. Currently testifying: Harry Soren Carr, college classmate of the shooter.

by anica.padilla 7/27/2015 10:51:41 PM
yup Heidi

by sher 7/27/2015 10:53:27 PM
Holmes is not considered a terrorist, one must have a political or religious motive in order to be classified as a terrorist. As for the dig at the active serviceman, he's done more for the country then you ever will, show him some respect. He makes sure people like you stay safe enough to sit behind their computers all day, mocking everyone else

by Trialwatch 7/27/2015 10:53:41 PM
To the implication that all families are pro the DP in this case, has anyone read anything Jessica Ghawi's brother Jordan has written?

by Clancy 7/27/2015 10:53:44 PM
Its certainly striking to me - how the anti DP folks are quick to take offense at my comments and want to lash back pretty quickly - as if it cannot go unanswered

Geez, what do you think committing first degree murder would merit ?

by Tiki Torch 7/27/2015 10:53:57 PM
No problem, youre doing a fine job anica

by Tiki Torch 7/27/2015 10:53:59 PM
CR - Really? I feel very differently about my brother. If he (God forbid) did something like this, I would want him incarcerated for life, but I would never want him put to death. Do you think you can say you would want your sisters and daughters put to death because you, like me about my brother, know that they would NEVER do something like this so it's maybe easy for you to say?

by JodieNJ 7/27/2015 10:54:29 PM
We had a killer facing the death penalty here - his family members told him "'take your
punishment""

by Tiki Torch 7/27/2015 10:54:34 PM
Feed is back for me.

by JodieNJ 7/27/2015 10:54:35 PM
I am receiving the feed now...great job

by Sunrise7 7/27/2015 11:05:16 PM
Higgs wins the prize for being innocent by reason of inanity.

by JW 7/27/2015 11:05:18 PM
I saw what her brother said - it doesnt make his opinion any more valid

by Tiki Torch 7/27/2015 11:05:20 PM
JodieNj, yes I could say that is exactly how I would feel, would it be easy no. But after committing a crime that devastating what would give them the right to live after taking so many lives.

by CR 7/27/2015 11:05:25 PM
as a viewer who saw a manic, insane psychotic break in JH which is NOT what the jury saw. Juries have been proven wrong many, many times and definitions of law changes. Families should consider help with their rage, sorrow, pain to accept and move on to firearms control. It will gentle their hearts and ease their hurt, and do something that will help everyone.

by okx 7/27/2015 11:05:36 PM
@Tiki....it would depend on the mental status of the killer...it matters or we become like him collectivley....the rationale of society has to determine this...i.e. the jury..

by A.L 7/27/2015 11:05:43 PM
How long are they going tonight?

by Kristle 7/27/2015 11:05:44 PM
I have 3 brothers. one who WORKS for Fed Corrections, one who is IN federal corrections, and one who works for ICE. All 3 have Gulf War Syndrome, all 3 were in the Marines. Something Bro who works for FC told us, and our nieces and nephew, is to hold our heads up - we did not commit this crime, Brother/Dad did. Also, he -like JH- will never get the psych help he needs. In this case not only do I sympathize with JH's family, I also say DP. There are reprecussions for our actions, and this is one of the possible reprecussions. My brother was a great guy, too. Until he wasn't. I still love him, though.

by DocJ 7/27/2015 11:06:03 PM
@Luce, I think I have made my position clear. yes, I would do what I could to convince the jury to spare the life of my family member. I hope I would also be able to accept whatever the final decision is that is made in the case. I have to say I feel sorry for those of you who say (or do) think that you can just close the door on a family member, mentally ill or not. I don't have to condone what they did, but they are still my family.

by Suzi Lewis 7/27/2015 11:06:21 PM
I'd like to ask the parents why they only visited him twice in prison and why they did not pay for better defense counsel than public defenders.

by Sophiamtn@gmail.com 7/27/2015 11:06:54 PM
Thank you trialwatch.

by okx 7/27/2015 11:06:55 PM
@Tiki LWP

by Clancy 7/27/2015 11:07:25 PM
Judge Samour: The People did not object to testimony about witnesses' reaction to learning about the shooting, but when they did object, the objections were mostly sustained because he felt that bordered on being like a victim impact statement.

by anica.padilla 7/27/2015 11:11:37 PM
Should have typed LWOP

by Clancy 7/27/2015 11:11:57 PM
@Sophiamtn: my questions as well...

by Poppy 7/27/2015 11:12:00 PM
What was with the slam at the jury--"well, not a fair and impartial jury"?

by Suzi Lewis 7/27/2015 11:12:04 PM
- Objection
Judge Samour discussing family videos of the gunman. The prosecution objects to Christmas music in the videos. The defense objected to Christmas music in a video of Veronica Moser-Sullivan, which then had to be edited out.

by anica.padilla 7/27/2015 11:13:31 PM
- Quote
Defense: "We're talking about apples and oranges."

by anica.padilla 7/27/2015 11:13:56 PM
It's been 56 days for this trial, and it has not gotten any easier to listen to. I appreciate all of your comments. Some have offered a really good point of view, has helped me understand some of my own thoughts and even more of the court process

by Just Thinkin 7/27/2015 11:14:15 PM
The sister stated that she only visited once because she was told anything said in the visit or in letters could and would be used against him in trial, I would imagine it would be the same for the parents.

by Marsha Laurienti 7/27/2015 11:15:16 PM
Hi Luce, death is not punishment in a civil world. Time to change barbaric thoughts and put the law to rest forever and always----no regrets and there might be redemption, as well as time for medicine to re-examine aspects of mental illness.

by okx 7/27/2015 11:15:27 PM
@anica...will you be replaying the sister's testimony? I had to leave for a while and missed it.

by A.L 7/27/2015 11:15:33 PM
@A.L. Here is a link to a recap of the gunman's sister's testimony. It has one video clip now, more will be added: bit.ly

by anica.padilla 7/27/2015 11:16:26 PM
Why have fines and penalties - why do we take money from people who stole money to show that stealing money is wrong?

Its the same logic behind the death penalty -- Moral proportionality.

by Tiki Torch 7/27/2015 11:16:36 PM
@DocJ Thank you for sharing.

by Just Thinkin 7/27/2015 11:16:38 PM
@Suzi: I wondered the same...?

by Poppy 7/27/2015 11:16:40 PM
@Suzi yeah, I noticed that too. Good question.

by MyraJ 7/27/2015 11:16:45 PM