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

Jansen Young, whose boyfriend Jonathan Blunk died shielding her from a bullet, wanted to make sure her scars never fade.

Young, along with others, has permanent reminders of the emotional and physical marks the shooting left on her. They’re now forever on her body in ink.

"These were the shrapnel wounds that scabbed over, and the day the last scab fell off, I went ahead and had it tattooed," Young said. "This was the worst day of my life and I knew the best man, and I lost him there."

Young told 7NEWS the new markings should serve as a reminder to live her life every day.

by LG 8/4/2015 9:42:46 PM
Thanks, Phil.

by Poppy 8/4/2015 9:42:48 PM
@TikiTorch: I agree -- I think Chantel was too chatty and unaffected (seemingly).

by Poppy 8/4/2015 9:45:18 PM
Had no idea of the backstory on Blunk, sad that dirty laundry had to be aired. No wonder his estranged wife had so much nervous energy. I hope she and her family finds counseling for their grief

by Just Thinkin 8/4/2015 9:45:24 PM
Sophia, etal fans of the blackboard and eraser closing statement - HOW to get that msg to Mr B? Excellent visual

by CO newbie 8/4/2015 9:49:20 PM
@Kristie--I'm as big of Nelson critic as anyone here but, to her credit, she did cry openly when Veronica's autopsy was described to the jury.

by flip 8/4/2015 9:49:25 PM
Seems like Blunk was the type who would throw himself in harm's way to protect anyone-even a stranger...it is his character that is the focus. Mr. D's comment below in the thread highlighted that so well. He wasn't entitled, had to fight through a lot to achieve, but chose positivity, light, love, laughing... What a contrast to shooter - 'couldn't overcome any rejection or difficulty- even with alllll of his resources, IQ, happy family, yadda yadda...Blunk, just like the others,
= Hero.

by BluesB 8/4/2015 9:49:35 PM
@Kristle - I don't think that's really a legal question, more of a personal one. I doubt any of the attorneys are supposed to express emotion at a trial, so I can't see Ms Nelson's tears being fake.

by kate 8/4/2015 9:49:42 PM
course its easy for me to run my big mouth on a chat forum - Im sure she has her moments in her actual life, just wish it couldve come across better on the stand

by Tiki Torch 8/4/2015 9:49:48 PM
Why is King no being an active attorney any more??

by Neta 8/4/2015 9:49:54 PM
Thing that is weird is that anyone cares about their relationship status. She was his wife, and the mother of their children. They were young, everyone goes through rough patches. I think she did a good job. His legacy are his children, and she did a good job describing what his death has done to them, especially their daughter.

by Sara Osborne 8/4/2015 9:50:01 PM
The people who died were not superheros- they were ordinary people doing what ordinary people do- going out to a movie. It is their very humanity, with all its good and bad, that makes this so tragic to me.

by MW 8/4/2015 9:50:07 PM
Well girl friends can't testify ...so better his wife then NO ONE! Let it go...please!

by Sally Mander 8/4/2015 9:50:21 PM
re: Jonathan Blunk, his family, his girl friend---try to let it go, folks. He was murdered while he was in the theater to enjoy a movie and many people were affected, none in a way that's any good at all. Please let him Rest In Peace.

by flip 8/4/2015 9:52:39 PM
Agree with you, Sally Mander. For goodness' sake! Enough already....

by flip 8/4/2015 9:52:39 PM
One more witness coming today. We expect it to be Sandy Phillips

by Phil Tenser 8/4/2015 9:52:45 PM
Judge Samour has returned to the courtroom

by Phil Tenser 8/4/2015 9:56:25 PM
I'll bet they'll wrap with Moser..

by Poppy 8/4/2015 9:56:27 PM
Neta- he did state in his final closing argument that he wasn't as good of an atty as GB LOL

by CO newbie 8/4/2015 9:56:28 PM
Sounds like he was popular with the ladies! Good-looking chap!

by Tiki Torch 8/4/2015 9:56:30 PM
I meant tomorrow's testimony -- the PT will likely wrap up with Moser..

by Poppy 8/4/2015 9:56:32 PM
I don't know the relevance of the Blunk marital status. It appears they were going through some difficult situations. The key point is that two natural children and adopted child are left fatherless... 3 very young children.

by Edy 8/4/2015 9:56:34 PM
@flip ..exactly! And really it isn't anyone's flippin business! IMO

by Sally Mander 8/4/2015 9:56:36 PM
@co newbie,.... Could tweet @georgebrauchler

by colo 8/4/2015 9:56:37 PM
Judge Samour making a record about previous rulings. Says he has made objections on some childhood questions based on the case law, but has drawn a difference between that and evidence about the victim's background

by Phil Tenser 8/4/2015 9:57:23 PM
Sophia- see gb tweet info provided by @colo

by CO newbie 8/4/2015 10:01:25 PM
It's almost like the entire Public Defender's office suffers from an overall lack of foundation..

by qwik draw 8/4/2015 10:01:26 PM
So when is childhood background info not considered cumulative?

by Mr.D. 8/4/2015 10:04:37 PM
Ok, the jury is in

by Phil Tenser 8/4/2015 10:05:34 PM
DA Brauchler calls Sandy Phillips, mother of Jessica Ghawi

by Phil Tenser 8/4/2015 10:05:44 PM
She is wearing the green scarf over her shoulders

by Phil Tenser 8/4/2015 10:05:53 PM
Does the DT get to also have witnesses in this phase?

by Sara Osborne 8/4/2015 10:05:54 PM
Sandy says her daughters birthday always falls around thanksgiving

by Phil Tenser 8/4/2015 10:07:27 PM
She was named for Sandy's father, who was dying when she was pregnant

by Phil Tenser 8/4/2015 10:07:50 PM
It's my personal (*and likely weird) belief that legal aids or some representative does do a daily "round up" of Twitter reaction to the day's court activity, etc. I think this thread is the BEST representative of public reaction (locally based, great work by Phil & Anica, professional, etc.). I am "affirming" in my imagination that Sophia's idea will find its way somehow to Brauchler...'positive thinking! :)

by BluesB 8/4/2015 10:08:08 PM
I was sharing the info about John Blunk info in reference to what Miss Young did as far at the tattoo's simple as that... as i love that she did that in his memory for saving her life!!

by LG 8/4/2015 10:08:12 PM
what's wrong with AC today

by wendy 8/4/2015 10:08:13 PM
Has Nelson done direct or redirect?

by Suzanne 8/4/2015 10:08:14 PM
@Phil- what is the relevance of the green scarf?

by Poppy 8/4/2015 10:08:15 PM
@Poppy: favorite color I believe, but she always has it. Every day.... maybe they'll ask about it...

by Phil Tenser 8/4/2015 10:08:27 PM
As soon as she took the stand, Mrs. Phillips stared right through that miserable killer....strong woman!

by flip 8/4/2015 10:08:30 PM
- Quote
"She was a little whirlwind. Lots of energy. Lots of graciousness. She was kind to others, always. She was always popular. Always smart. Always feisty"

by Phil Tenser 8/4/2015 10:09:04 PM
I wish her photo could remain up in courtroom for longer period!!

by BluesB 8/4/2015 10:09:06 PM
Thanks, Phil.

by Poppy 8/4/2015 10:09:07 PM
I can't believe that J Ghawi had previously survived a mall shooting....the chances of going thru that are unbelievable

by Ibby 8/4/2015 10:09:36 PM