Theater shooting trial day 61: Start of 'Phase 3'

Day 61 in the Aurora movie theater shooting trial – People vs. James Eagan Holmes. Today, prosecutors will call family members of the 12 victims who were killed.Jurors have already confirmed they found aggravating factors in the mass shooting for which they convicted the gunman. They also confirmed that any mitigating factors that might exist do not outweigh the aggravating factors. This round of testimony is the third and final phase before jurors decide on 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. 7NEWS and TheDenverChannel.com will have gavel to gavel coverage of the trial starting at 8:30a.m. (MST) everyday and ending around 5:30 p.m. (MST) Watch new live video on our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/7NewsDenver/live Additional resources:LIVE VIDEO & BLOG: http://bit.ly/theatertrialTIMELINE of the case: http://bit.ly/theatertimelineJURY PROFILE: http://bit.ly/theaterjury CONTINUING COVERAGE: http://bit.ly/theatercoverage

3rd & 7 37yd

Theater shooting sentencing hearing enters final stage: Victims' family members get chance speak
7NEWSSandy Phillips, mother of Jessica Ghawi, is expected to be one of the people to speak in court Tuesday.

by Phil Tenser 8/4/2015 2:07:02 PM
Reminder: We'll start today around 8:50. Court begins at 9 and the jury arrives at 10

by Phil Tenser 8/4/2015 2:08:58 PM
Good morning, all. Let's prepare ourselves for probably the two most emotional days of testimony we've encountered thus far.

by Kels 8/4/2015 2:30:44 PM
Good Morning!

by Steve edited by Phil Tenser 8/4/2015 2:37:24 PM
How can we access the former polls which Phil has done?

by Tennessee 8/4/2015 2:37:25 PM
@Tennessee: Thanks for asking, every chat is saved in its entirety on our archive page. You'll find that here:
7NEWS | Daily archive of complete testimony from the Aurora movie theater shooting trial | TheDenverChannel | KMGH-TV
Video archive of full days of testimony in the trial of James Holmes for the Aurora movie theater shooting.

by Phil Tenser 8/4/2015 2:37:58 PM
Good morning/afternoon to you all

by Aly 8/4/2015 2:40:04 PM
Afternnon all

by markefc_ 8/4/2015 2:40:35 PM
ok that was a good start i cant even spell now so will try again Afternoon all

by markefc_ 8/4/2015 2:42:02 PM
Morning. Listening more than chatting today. Lots to do...

by Tammy Garrison 8/4/2015 2:42:05 PM
Hi Phil. where can I find the interviews that josh nowlan and Sandy Phillips did after tye verdict was annouced yesterday. please and thank you

by Aly 8/4/2015 2:42:10 PM
@Aly: I believe Marshall used that video in his story yesterday. Here's the link:
Theater shooting case moves toward death penalty in deliberating James Holmes fate
7NEWSTheater shooting jurors have voted to take the final step toward deciding if James Holmes should be put to death.

by Phil Tenser 8/4/2015 2:43:28 PM
@markefc. a question not relevant to the case. are you an everton supporter please.

by Aly 8/4/2015 2:43:33 PM
Good morning/afternoon all.

by Tired 8/4/2015 2:47:22 PM
@Ally for my sins yes i am and have been suffering for over 40 years lol

by markefc_ 8/4/2015 2:47:25 PM
thank you phil :-)

by Aly 8/4/2015 2:47:26 PM
We're nearly ready to turn it all on

by Phil Tenser 8/4/2015 2:47:49 PM
Good morning everyone. Already nervous and hurting for the victims families this morning. I'm glad they will be heard and I'm sure they want to voice their feelings but still going to be very hard on them. My prayers go with them as well as so many others.

by Michelle Schack 8/4/2015 2:52:05 PM
Good Morning!

by Ab1962 8/4/2015 2:52:06 PM
lol lol I'm a saints fan for about the same amount of time and the same suffering

by Aly 8/4/2015 2:52:08 PM
Good morning all.

by MyraJ 8/4/2015 2:52:09 PM
I missed this yesterday afternoon.

by MyraJ 8/4/2015 2:52:55 PM
Even though Gordon Cowden's daughter testified in the 1st phase, I do think that there should be someone from his family to testify in phase 3- all the victims need to be represented- IMHO

by Victoria 8/4/2015 2:54:35 PM
@Victoria: I can't say with certainty that she will not testify, all I can confirm is that there was no objection to a witness related to Cowden. All of the 15 names on that list came from objections, not from the issuance of a complete list

by Phil Tenser 8/4/2015 2:55:17 PM
@Ally always had a soft spot for Saints as used to live in swanage when i was a kid and Alan Ball went there as well

by markefc_ 8/4/2015 2:55:22 PM
Good morning everyone! I imagine today's probably going to be pretty tough - may need to keep the tissues handy....

by MsMandi 8/4/2015 2:56:10 PM
@Phil- gotcha! I guess I misunderstood that the objection list was the whole list of people that were going to testify. Thanks for clarifying

by Victoria 8/4/2015 2:57:19 PM
@Victoria: It may be, or it may not be. There's no clear answer

by Phil Tenser 8/4/2015 2:57:31 PM
@Phil: Are there victims families that dont want to give their impact statements?

by Tired 8/4/2015 3:00:49 PM
@Tired: I'm unable to answer that. I don't know if any refused the option

by Phil Tenser 8/4/2015 3:01:16 PM
Mornimg, all...

by BluesB 8/4/2015 3:01:18 PM
I wonder if there will be limitations like this for the defense when they plead for his life.

by Tammy Garrison 8/4/2015 3:01:20 PM
@Phil, thanks just wondering....

by Tired 8/4/2015 3:02:36 PM
Court is now in session

by Phil Tenser 8/4/2015 3:05:11 PM
Why does that mom (I forget who's) think that her son was specifically targeted? Did he and JH go to school together or something?

by COURTney 8/4/2015 3:05:16 PM
JH not moving too much today. I suspect he wont react at all today/tomorrow.

by Tired 8/4/2015 3:05:17 PM
@TammyG I wonder that too. I hope so.

by Steve 8/4/2015 3:05:19 PM
Judge begins by making a record that his staff has emailed the final 7 phase 3 introductory instructions to both sides

by Phil Tenser 8/4/2015 3:06:11 PM
- Judge's Order
Judge decides that he wants the prosecution to wait to call second witnesses for each victim until the end

by Phil Tenser 8/4/2015 3:07:04 PM
- Judge's Order
Judge Carlos Samour also says he has a decision regarding Gregory Medek's fear that something would happen to his children. Says that it would be appropriate for him to say he felt the biggest fear in his life would come true. As a result of that, he can talk about living in fear. But he will not be allowed to discuss how the fear developed over the years.

by Phil Tenser 8/4/2015 3:08:19 PM
- Judge's Order
Judge decides current health situation for Blunk's grandparents can't be speculative about what help he could have provided. But can testify about what they have to to without him.

by Phil Tenser 8/4/2015 3:10:21 PM
Where's GB?

by Victoria 8/4/2015 3:10:37 PM
JH wearing a suit jacket??? First time in 61 days

by Victoria 8/4/2015 3:10:41 PM
- Objection
Brady asks for the defense about allowing grandparents, and judge says it should be read to include any family members (including grandparents and significant others)

by Phil Tenser 8/4/2015 3:11:37 PM
- Judge's Order
Judge says "I disagree with your interpretation of the statute"

by Phil Tenser 8/4/2015 3:12:02 PM

Theater shooting trial day 61: Start of 'Phase 3'

Theater shooting sentencing hearing enters final stage: Victims' family members get chance speak

7NEWS | Daily archive of complete testimony from the Aurora movie theater shooting trial | TheDenverChannel | KMGH-TV

Theater shooting case moves toward death penalty in deliberating James Holmes fate