Theater shooting trial day 63: Phase 3 closing arguments

Jurors will come face to face with the ultimate question in the Aurora movie theater shooting trial: Should James Holmes be put to death by lethal injection?

They jury has gone home for the day. Back tomorrow at 8:30 am #theatershooting

by Rob McCallum via twitter edited by Phil Tenser 8/6/2015 10:37:19 PM
by Phil Tenser 8/6/2015 9:39:46 PM

3rd & 7 37yd

Good morning. Remember that we expect the attorneys to begin work at 9 today. Jurors will arrive at 1p for instructions and closing arguments

by Phil Tenser 8/6/2015 2:29:16 PM
Good morning to you, Phil.

by tg_kendall 8/6/2015 2:50:32 PM
Good morning everybody

by shuffie cat 8/6/2015 2:50:33 PM
Good morning everyone

by Aly 8/6/2015 2:50:39 PM
Good morning!

by Suzi Lewis 8/6/2015 2:50:41 PM
Good Morning! I was wondering, and this may have already been discussed, but does JH choose stay in the court room with his lawyers during the discussion of and revising of jury instructions? It seems like he probably doesn't have to be there, but I assume he would rather be there than in his cell. Although, he looked awfully bored like he wanted to go to sleep during yesterdays jury instruction preparations.

by Della (Me) 8/6/2015 2:50:47 PM
Final closing arguments will be Thursday, before jury decides on death penalty for James Holmes
7NEWSNine women and three men will come face to face with a decision to put James Holmes to death on Thursday.

by Phil Tenser 8/6/2015 2:52:11 PM
Phil, I thought it was 9 women and 3 men...

by Tammy Garrison 8/6/2015 2:55:00 PM
@TammyGarrison: It is! I'll fix that

by Phil Tenser 8/6/2015 2:55:07 PM
Good morning all.

by MyraJ 8/6/2015 2:55:09 PM
I thought he had to be there for anything pertaining to his case unless it was an approved absence. But IDK i'm not an attorney

by Suzi Lewis 8/6/2015 2:55:10 PM
Good morning everyone

by Humble Pride 8/6/2015 2:55:10 PM
Good morning!

by caz 8/6/2015 2:55:11 PM
@Della (me) I am not sure, but I think that when the proceedings take place in the court room, the defendant has to be present. I think it has to do with being able to face his accuser.

by Humble Pride 8/6/2015 2:57:48 PM
Good morning!

by Tired 8/6/2015 3:01:42 PM
I found it interesting in the jury instruction at the end of yesterday that the judge mentioned to them not to hold all of the objections against the defense.

by cheese and rice 8/6/2015 3:01:43 PM
good morning

by emma 8/6/2015 3:01:44 PM
Morning all...

by BluesB 8/6/2015 3:01:45 PM
when is the live feed supposed to start?

by emma 8/6/2015 3:01:46 PM
Judge said he'd start work with the attorneys around this time, but no signal yet. We'll let you know ASAP

by Phil Tenser 8/6/2015 3:01:48 PM
What time will court start to continue working on the final instructions?

by jbs 8/6/2015 3:04:00 PM
@humble pride- is he required to be there or allowed to be there? I thought the latter but could easily be wrong

by MW 8/6/2015 3:04:02 PM
Good morning, family. Thanks for the update, Phil! Ready to see Brauchler bring it down today...

by Kels 8/6/2015 3:04:03 PM
Maybe the black screen is better than watching all the objections by the DT.

by Suzi Lewis 8/6/2015 3:04:04 PM
ok thanks, Phil :)

by emma 8/6/2015 3:04:06 PM
Imagine that.

by Tammy Garrison 8/6/2015 3:04:07 PM
Judge Samour is here now, They're starting

by Phil Tenser 8/6/2015 3:04:14 PM
Judge starts by making record that juror 87, seat 6, walked out of the courtroom with her notebook. Barely got out of the building before turning around and handing it to sergeant

by Phil Tenser 8/6/2015 3:04:53 PM
I'm gonna miss all you guys and reading your comments

by emma 8/6/2015 3:05:14 PM
Deputy and Sergeant did not open the notebook. "They treated it in fact like a hot potato"

by Phil Tenser 8/6/2015 3:05:41 PM
3rd draft of the instructions emailed to the attorneys last night

by Phil Tenser 8/6/2015 3:05:56 PM
Judge says he did research on the "mercy issue" regarding how the court has sided with the people against the defense suggestion that jurors should have instruction they can consider mercy. "Not mercy in a vacuum"

by Phil Tenser 8/6/2015 3:07:39 PM
I still find it strange of the statements of Chantel Blunk, she kept saying that Jon was her "hubby" but he was at the movie with his girlfriend Jansen Young- anyone have any other insight into this? Just wondering....

by Victoria 8/6/2015 3:07:43 PM
does anyone know why we don't get to see JH as he comes into the court room?

by friend jammer cjamminfriend 8/6/2015 3:09:25 PM
@friendjammercjamminfriend: Because he already has to be shackled to the floor before the judge arrives

by Phil Tenser 8/6/2015 3:09:39 PM
@ Victoria, Just wondering why that makes a difference?

by Suzi Lewis 8/6/2015 3:09:43 PM
Rule 43. Defendant's Presence
(a) When Required. Unless this rule, Rule 5, or Rule 10 provides otherwise, the defendant must be present at:

(1) the initial appearance, the initial arraignment, and the plea;

(2) every trial stage, including jury impanelment and the return of the verdict; and

(3) sentencing.

by Humble Pride 8/6/2015 3:10:18 PM
We did, Victoria -but ultimately it just ended at having respect for him/his privacy. ..a RIP sentiment. ...if that makes sense.

by BluesB 8/6/2015 3:10:21 PM
Judge reading citations from his research, supporting his position against the defense request

by Phil Tenser 8/6/2015 3:11:31 PM
Good morning everyone. Can anyone tell me what the schedule is for today? Many thanks.

by nycgirl 8/6/2015 3:11:33 PM
@nycgirl: Plan for jury to arrive at 1 for instructions, an hour later they'll start closings

by Phil Tenser 8/6/2015 3:11:48 PM
Do the lights in the courtroom look brighter than usual?

by caz 8/6/2015 3:12:01 PM
@caz: I noticed that too. It is probably a camera setting, but outside our control

by Phil Tenser 8/6/2015 3:12:12 PM

Theater shooting trial day 63: Phase 3 closing arguments

Jurors will come face to face with the ultimate question in the Aurora movie theater shooting trial: Should James Holmes be put to death by lethal injection?

Final closing arguments will be Thursday, before jury decides on death penalty for James Holmes