Theater shooting trial day 64: The life-or-death verdict for James Holmes

NOTE: This video is a placeholder, waiting to begin until the three-hours warning is issued by the court that a verdict was reached. Will James Holmes be put to death by lethal injection for the 12 people he killed inside an Aurora, Colorado movie theater? Or will the jury send him to prison for the rest of his life?Jurors are about to come face-to-face with the ultimate decision in the Aurora movie theater shooting trial: "Should James Eagan Holmes be put to death by lethal injection?"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. 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

@Saira: Maybe some might, too early to know tho

by Phil Tenser 8/7/2015 8:42:35 PM
I am on pacific time. Will the verdict be read at 4m here?

by Tjq 8/7/2015 8:43:32 PM
@Tjq: Checking my calculator.... Yes

by Phil Tenser 8/7/2015 8:43:43 PM
Here's a link to the Phase 3 instructions and verdict forms: bit.ly

by Phil Tenser 8/7/2015 8:44:06 PM
Where were you guys watching coverage today?

by caz 8/7/2015 8:44:12 PM
What was the video the jury wanted to see of? Security footage? Police footage?

by Saira 8/7/2015 8:45:26 PM
@Saira: Police footage after the crime

by Phil Tenser 8/7/2015 8:45:33 PM
@Suzi Lewis....I think you are correct!

by TammyC 8/7/2015 8:45:35 PM
@djs - My opinion- he will die in prison before a death sentence is carried out.

by amjinoh 8/7/2015 8:45:59 PM
@ caz, I just happened to pull the site up on my computer and saw the attorneys arguing about the video requested by the jury.

by Suzi Lewis 8/7/2015 8:46:02 PM
@ Sara they requested the footage from the theater with the bodies still in place.

by Suzi Lewis 8/7/2015 8:47:22 PM
@Phil. I would assume the defense team persistently objected to them viewing that?

by Saira 8/7/2015 8:47:25 PM
@suzi, dang, I checked several times today but didn't see that

by caz 8/7/2015 8:47:26 PM
Thx Denver 7. it's been an intense few months. Great job. Will miss you all.

by Bill Ward 8/7/2015 8:47:27 PM
@BillWard: After a nap I will feel the same way too

by Phil Tenser 8/7/2015 8:47:37 PM
@Saira: Actually at first there was no objection. Changed their minds a minute later, but judge overruled

by Phil Tenser 8/7/2015 8:48:08 PM
All they wanted to see this morning, one more time before signing the verdict form, was the horrific crime scene video...that, plus the very short time required for further deliberation = death penalty. A wise and moral decision, I believe.

Even so, Holmes' loved ones and "other" supporters--the misguided souls who write fan letters to him--will have at least a decade, if not more, to enjoy his continued existence.

by flip 8/7/2015 8:48:11 PM
@djs - There is quit a lengthy appeals process that must be carried out. Many many years.

by AW 8/7/2015 8:48:12 PM
My heart is heavy for all involved.

by Resa 8/7/2015 8:49:55 PM
@Phil -- what is the courts purpose for the 3 hour wait?

by caz 8/7/2015 8:49:56 PM
@caz: to allow all of the families, survivors and media to gather. It is a courtesy

by Phil Tenser 8/7/2015 8:50:11 PM
Death penalty costs 6-8 times more than life in prison - bit.ly/1gjHEq1 via @JennKovaleski
#TheaterShooting #TheaterTrial

by Anica Padilla via twitter 8/7/2015 8:55:30 PM
@caz - to give folks time to get to the court house to hear the verdict.

by AW 8/7/2015 8:58:01 PM
@ Phil - if and/or when you are able to interview the jury will an alert be sent out? I would love to hear from them. I have so much respect for them and the job they did!

by Suzanne 8/7/2015 8:58:03 PM
@Suzanne: Yes, I think we would send alerts for that, but we have no firm plans because we don't know for sure

by Phil Tenser 8/7/2015 8:58:32 PM
Mr. Sullivan, with respect "war-eagle" may you finally have some peace.

by Resa 8/7/2015 8:58:34 PM
@ Phil - Is there a video of the conversation with Brady (DT), PT, and the jury's request?

by Suzanne 8/7/2015 8:58:35 PM
@Suzanne: I can ask a teammate to try to cut and post those... it'll take a while

by Phil Tenser 8/7/2015 8:58:57 PM
I'm going to miss everybody, your comments, and Phil

by emma 8/7/2015 8:58:59 PM
I can only imagine that footage. I, no doubt, would be physically ill. Bless this jury.

by cheese and rice 8/7/2015 8:59:06 PM
@Phil - will there be a live feed and Scribble during the sentencing hearing? After your long nap, of course. =)

by kate 8/7/2015 8:59:09 PM
Do you think there will be any emotion from James Holmes?

by Nadine 8/7/2015 8:59:11 PM
@kate: It depends on the scheduling that court hasn't issued yet.. but I think so

by Phil Tenser 8/7/2015 8:59:26 PM
I am honestly surprised that the Jury decided so quickly! I thought it would be a couple days at least since it's the final verdict. That leads me to believe that they had their minds pretty much made up.

by Proph 8/7/2015 8:59:28 PM
Is it possible that one juror made it perfectly clear that they would not vote for DP and everyone else truly believed that this person was definitely not going to change his or her mind and so they ended deliberations.

by cookie 8/7/2015 8:59:33 PM
How can the death penalty possibly cost more than life in prison?

by Nadine 8/7/2015 8:59:35 PM
@Death_is_Justice I am sure all the local news station will be covering the verdict.

by Viking 8/7/2015 8:59:36 PM
Phil, quick question....is there a victim's relief fund that you personally, or Channel 7, can recommend? I would like to make a donation to a fund that helps families of the deceased, of course, but one that also helps the permanently injured folks. If you folks can recommend something, I am sure many of your followers would appreciate it.

by flip 8/7/2015 8:59:37 PM
@flip: There was a fund in the years after the crime, but I don't know of one that is still active that I can confirm for you.

by Phil Tenser 8/7/2015 9:00:15 PM
by Phil Tenser 8/7/2015 9:00:28 PM
@Nadine...it's the cost of appeals that cost so much.

by Marsha Laurienti 8/7/2015 9:01:24 PM
@Nadine- Appeals

by FPsych 8/7/2015 9:01:27 PM
Thanks Phil!

by Suzanne 8/7/2015 9:01:28 PM
Thanks, Phil--maybe other posters here may know of something.

by flip 8/7/2015 9:01:28 PM
@phil if he gets the DP can it be carried out sooner?

by Tjq 8/7/2015 9:03:11 PM