Theater shooting trial day 58: Arlene Holmes expected to testify

After the father of the convicted Aurora movie theater shooter concludes the testimony he began Tuesday, the gunman's mother is expected to be the next witness to take the stand.

3rd & 7 37yd

Witness says he shared dinner with the Holmes family, saw the defendant behave well and being friendly

by Phil Tenser 7/29/2015 4:39:47 PM
I suspect that the "gavel to gavel" coverage is a result of the sheer volume of people who have a vested interest in this case. The number of victims alone would account for hundreds of family members who would crowd the courtroom and beyond. What better way to allow all of these people, from around the country, perhaps even the world to see justice for their family member then just as we are all watching it, via the internet.

by Kathy 7/29/2015 4:41:11 PM
Next video

by Phil Tenser 7/29/2015 4:43:58 PM
If I were on the DT, I would have skipped these videos. They might have meant something (not much) at the beginning of the mitigation case, but now they just take time and allow the jury to forget whatever emotional impact the dad had made.

by Sophiamtn@gmail.com 7/29/2015 4:48:02 PM
@Victoria @Me: I think it might have to do with the fact that everything will/could be used against him as evidence in this trial... telephone calls, letters, etc. since the incident. If the family visits him in jail, they could come into the court and say that he was totally normal, which could hurt his insanity plea.

by Jen 7/29/2015 4:48:13 PM
The videos make these witnesses look like ghosts.

by Sophiamtn@gmail.com 7/29/2015 4:48:14 PM
...it seems to me that the entire testimony of this witness is hearsay (??) He didn't know JH in the least, he simply observed his interactions with the family...I realize he knows the family a bit, but??? ...That doesn't seem at all legitimate- unless he's an expert witness, which is clearly not... what am I missing?

by BluesB 7/29/2015 4:48:18 PM
wait - this guy says father took off work a couple of times in early 2012 because of son... not so

by mandi 7/29/2015 4:48:21 PM
I think Phil should have taken Brian Williams' job! Lets start a petition to get Phil on NBC!

by Tired 7/29/2015 4:48:22 PM
that would be a lie on the father's part....

by mandi 7/29/2015 4:48:38 PM
Is anyone else having issues with playvback on the video? I just have a black screen. First time this has happened

by Tami 7/29/2015 4:48:39 PM
@Tami: I've checked again and our outgoing signal strength is full

by Phil Tenser 7/29/2015 4:48:54 PM
How many more vids?

by Tami in GA 7/29/2015 4:48:57 PM
@TamiinGA: 3 I think

by Phil Tenser 7/29/2015 4:49:05 PM
Few trials in this country televised because outside social bias can interfer into having a fair trial. If a lawyer is educated in CO, I would be interested in hearing how ideas of justice might be limited. I think this might be the issue in CO where there is an undercurrent in its history of violence esp. against minorities that has never been addressed in its educational system. Dominance is the key that has kept laws from being progressive. Very sad..

by okx 7/29/2015 4:49:18 PM
Phil, were there witnesses the defense wanted to present but were denied, or am I just dreaming that?

by Tammy Garrison 7/29/2015 4:49:58 PM
@TammyGarrison: I don't recall any denied witnesses, just denied pieces of evidence (like the letters)

by Phil Tenser 7/29/2015 4:50:20 PM
@Blues - the judge ruled that some of the "distant" witnesses could testify... others were not allowed. Some never had much contact with J

by mandi 7/29/2015 4:52:08 PM
Is anyone else getting tired of hearing from OLD neighbor's, OLD teacher's?!!

by Mayday43 7/29/2015 4:52:09 PM
JH clearly had a respectable family. I think the DT is going overboard at this point (*or maybe even did a few witnesses back)...None of this helps mitigate what HAPPENED involving the shooting/murders. The pain is evident for all parties: anyone with a civilized nature or brain can see that, but these witnesses just seem rehearsed and superfluous at this point (except JH parents' testimony today, of course). I just wonder how the jury is feeling...

by BluesB 7/29/2015 4:52:21 PM
after these videos - DT will end with mother

by mandi 7/29/2015 4:52:22 PM
I wonder if, while listening to all these people testify about him, JH starts thinking anything like, "I was not like that", or "They should or shouldn't say that." I guess it is just me trying to figure him out.

by DocJ 7/29/2015 4:52:26 PM
does anyone believe james holmes will testify in this phase

by FredP 7/29/2015 4:52:28 PM
@FredP: No, we do not believe he will ever testify

by Phil Tenser 7/29/2015 4:52:37 PM
Witness discussing how she hired the defendant when he was young to help in her yard

by Phil Tenser 7/29/2015 4:53:11 PM
@mandi - i would bet you're right, that's what I was thinking they're going to do.

by colo 7/29/2015 4:54:51 PM
DocJ--I think JH likes it. It feeds his ego and self worth.

by Tired 7/29/2015 4:54:53 PM
@DocJ - I think he's drugged up and I was surprised seeing him interacting with his father, even laughing.

by Sun David 7/29/2015 4:54:56 PM
Thanks, mandi. That helps my confusion. I thought I saw/heard that, & I know mitigation is EXTREMELY permissive to DT in capital case, but it just seemed ridiculous. Appreciate your insight!

by BluesB 7/29/2015 4:55:01 PM
@Fred JH has told the Judge he choices not to testify both times he has been asked if he would like too...

by LG 7/29/2015 4:55:04 PM
Hi folks. I too am wondering if there will be any more testimony put forth by DT to reiterate psych condition by experts-- or that too risky because GB might be able to challenge even the mental illness claim?

by Mr. D. 7/29/2015 4:55:08 PM
@Phil - I think you all did this when the father testified.... but are going going to send out an alert via the app when the mother testifies?

by colo 7/29/2015 4:55:12 PM
@colo: I absolutely will do that by email and through our 7NEWS app

by Phil Tenser 7/29/2015 4:55:28 PM
@FredP so far when JH has been given the opportunity to testify on his own behalf, he's declined.

by Liz 7/29/2015 4:55:36 PM
Wonder how the DT came up with all these witnesses. Bet the parents gave a list of most of them and the rest were probably pryed out of JH by his attorneys.

by Marti 7/29/2015 4:55:48 PM
@Marti: They did have a team of investigators

by Phil Tenser 7/29/2015 4:56:01 PM
Does the jury have to be unanimous to move to next phase?

by LK 7/29/2015 4:56:14 PM
Ha Ha! "We had a job to do and we did it." All us old Lutheran ladies are like that. LOL

by DocJ 7/29/2015 4:56:15 PM
Awesome - thanks Phil!

by colo 7/29/2015 4:56:15 PM
Video testimony ends

by Phil Tenser 7/29/2015 4:56:35 PM
Trial watcher since day 1. 1st time commenter. My daughter in law thinks Mama H should go on the stand LAST if DT wants final emotional impact/sympathy. I agree. This other testimony leaves me empty. Also believe PT lead Mr B rocks!

by CO newbie 7/29/2015 4:56:53 PM
Defense will next present another recording

by Phil Tenser 7/29/2015 4:56:54 PM
Next recording is Martin Barrett

by Phil Tenser 7/29/2015 4:57:37 PM
@Sun .... wow really you saw JH interact with his Dad I only saw he's Dad do a half way to him with no reaction back... I guess I must need glasses I'm missing all these interactions lol

by LG 7/29/2015 4:57:42 PM
Three members of the Barrett family testified in recordings. This is the first

by Phil Tenser 7/29/2015 4:58:58 PM