Theater shooting trial day 59: Phase 2 closing arguments

This afternoon, both sides will present their closing arguments in phase two of the penalty process, which focuses on mitigating factors.Jurors have already confirmed they found aggravating factors in the mass shooting for which they convicted the gunman. After closing arguments, the same jurors must decide if the mitigating factors outweigh those factors.Essentially, jurors will be asked to decide between giving the gunman a life prison sentence or moving on to phase 3 -- the final step toward the death penalty.Holmes was convicted on 165 counts including murder and attempted murder for the shooting that killed 12 and injured 70 others during a midnight premiere of the Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, Colorado. His defense attorneys unsuccessfully argued that he was insane at the time of the shooting.

3rd & 7 37yd

@Phil-

Thanks for answering my question! Youre the man!

by Tired 7/30/2015 5:09:14 PM
@trl2 @markefc_ no one is going to take anyone's guns away. We are asking for across-the-board background checks - common-sense gun laws. This is also not the place to argue over people's perception of what common-sense gun laws are.

by MyraJ 7/30/2015 5:09:20 PM
If JH gets the death penalty, will it be for each victim and will the Judge read them as such after deliberation. Does the defense have to appeal each one? Thank you. Nice watch.

by kwik draw 7/30/2015 5:09:28 PM
@kwikdraw: Likely, the death penalty would be for each count. This jury hasn't divided the murder counts and would be very unlikely to do so

by Phil Tenser 7/30/2015 5:09:37 PM
Phil someone asked you a question yesterday evening - I think it was Blues - did you ever find an answer to the question? Can't remember what the question was, but it was a good one.

by Tammy Garrison 7/30/2015 5:09:59 PM
@TammyGarrison: I don't recall... too many questions!

by Phil Tenser 7/30/2015 5:10:08 PM
@NeuroNonsense, I've been wondering that this whole time....

by Kels 7/30/2015 5:10:10 PM
@markefc_ we have guns to protect us from oppressive government...you might recall that little unpleasantness in 1776-81...we don't dwell on it but I imagine it was in the British papers

by PA Watcher 7/30/2015 5:10:12 PM
Maybe this was already talked about as I am behind a bit, but is today only about instructions and powerpoints? Is the jury not in?

by Rod 7/30/2015 5:10:19 PM
@Rod: Jury arriving at 11:30... but court
may not be ready for them yet

by Phil Tenser 7/30/2015 5:10:32 PM
Lynn, I'm with you on the first part, but not on the last.

by Tammy Garrison 7/30/2015 5:10:36 PM
Hi Clancy

by emma 7/30/2015 5:10:37 PM
I don't think he will get the DP. The jury should clearly be able to see how sorrowful he is.

by okx 7/30/2015 5:10:45 PM
Fenton it seems should lose her license to practice in the US. Not that she didn't try, but she simply hasn't developed the insight and means of questioning that heechnr field requires. She does hold responsibility-----perhaps all the responsibility for the events, even if she did offer more help. She should have done something after his departure. Silence is a part of his psychotic illness. She is a technician, not equipped for all patients. She didn't ask anything.

by okx 7/30/2015 5:10:55 PM
@okx - He is sorrowful? Did I miss something?

by Rod 7/30/2015 5:12:57 PM
I don't think he will get LIFE. The jury should clearly be able to see how much of liar and deciept he is.

by Tired 7/30/2015 5:12:59 PM
Oxk, our judicial system is not set up for redemption. And I would argue its not the right place for it. Our judicial system is/should be about accountability and justice. Redemption can take place as a part of that but also outside of the judicial system.

by Tammy Garrison 7/30/2015 5:13:03 PM
okx .... i'm curious why your so interested in a DP case in the US when you don't live in the US?

by LG 7/30/2015 5:13:05 PM
@okx- Where are you seeing that he is sorrowful? If you see it, it is likely because (1) he was caught and/or (2) he wished his gun had not jammed and/or (3) he wished there had been more victims.

by Jennifer 7/30/2015 5:13:09 PM
@ME i hope you have a great time while your over here compensate things i shall be back in the USA in dec/jan :) and just to clear things up i am not in anyway anti USA i have been visting since mid 1980's and have never had a bad experience & meant some wonderful people I was just trying to see things from a different viewpoint to mine

by markefc_ 7/30/2015 5:13:18 PM
Tammy- I agree with you 100 %. The prosecution is definitely a voice for the people and the seeker to find justice... if the jury found "not guilty", then we all must accept that as justice. Regardless of verdict, the prosecution is a voice for the victims' families...The victims wouldn't be victims unless someone committed a crime. The prosecution relates directly to crime... it's just logic.

by BluesB 7/30/2015 5:13:46 PM
@okx, that's where it comes down to the jury to believe her expert witness testimony in whole, part or not at all.

by Kels 7/30/2015 5:13:55 PM
OK, court is back!

by Phil Tenser 7/30/2015 5:14:26 PM
Brady's powerpoint presentation is our first subject

by Phil Tenser 7/30/2015 5:15:09 PM
Looks like the defendant is eating

by Phil Tenser 7/30/2015 5:15:44 PM
How cute, Holmes is eating the lunch we all bought him.

by Marsha Laurienti 7/30/2015 5:15:46 PM
Brauchler says his slides referencing Metzner are now incorporated into the defense slideshow

by Phil Tenser 7/30/2015 5:16:52 PM
JH expressed regrets, but he did NOT say those were regrets for the victims. He also said he did not like having his freedom taken away. His regrets may have been solely for himself.

by Sophia 7/30/2015 5:16:57 PM
@okx-Fenton involved top level admin types in her dept. who are also colleagues. You make it sound like she was alone in this and did not follow protocol. ( aside from HIPAA).

by Mr.D. 7/30/2015 5:17:05 PM
Poor thing is starving.

by okx 7/30/2015 5:17:07 PM
@okx...If this goes to Phase 3 it is my belief the only thing that will save Jimmy's life is an allocution statement to the effect of "I am terribly sorry for the horrific things I did...if I could only go back I would have allowed myself to be hospitalized for the help I needed...I was so sick and saw no way out and made a terrible, awful choice that I regret everyday" I don't see that he is sorrowful at all...just manipulative.

by PA Watcher 7/30/2015 5:17:10 PM
@okx does the term facade ring a bell. the swiveling,the staring, and now the supposed "sorrow" other than the meds contributing to that Id be very surprised if the DT didn't tell him to do those things to elicit some sort of pitty from the jury. seems like you fell for it

by JG 7/30/2015 5:17:15 PM
how long does each side have for closing

by fredp 7/30/2015 5:17:18 PM
@fredp: 40 mins, I believe

by Phil Tenser 7/30/2015 5:17:25 PM
Holmes chewing gum in court?

by flip 7/30/2015 5:17:46 PM
OMG JH IS EATING IN THE COURTROOM!! Lets' discuss....

by Me (CaliMiSFit@yahoo.com) 7/30/2015 5:17:47 PM
JH needs to sit up when he eats.

by Tired 7/30/2015 5:17:48 PM
JH is eating his lunch in court??

by Kristle 7/30/2015 5:17:49 PM
Oh, JH is eating a sandwich in court.

by flip 7/30/2015 5:17:50 PM
Love Brauchler.

by BluesB 7/30/2015 5:17:50 PM
Lg I am a US citizen. Many states have abolished the DP FOREVER, following the guidelines of civil international law. The US nationally is not in agreement. States like CO have kept the laws in line with China, N. Korea, and the likes.

by okx 7/30/2015 5:17:55 PM
First it looked like he was drinking.....then he started eating a sandwich. WTH!!

by Kristle 7/30/2015 5:17:56 PM
looks like a milk cartoon we got in kindergarten he's drinking

by LG 7/30/2015 5:17:59 PM
Brauchler said the defense was strategically smart to incorporate his slide

by Phil Tenser 7/30/2015 5:18:19 PM
Brady arguing that she doesn't believe the evidence is misstated, as Braucheler argued.

by Phil Tenser 7/30/2015 5:18:34 PM