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

JH didn't win. He wanted NGRI! He won't last in prison.

by Suzanne 8/7/2015 11:51:39 PM
@Charles...if you want to protect your views on the death penalty, so be it. But don't talk badly about the families of the victims. How dare you!

by Marsha Laurienti 8/7/2015 11:51:40 PM
At least with LWOP there will never be a chance Holmes will get out. If he had received the DP, it might take 20 years, but there would be a chance, albeit remote, that the could get a new trial and receive parole. As much of a monster that I think he is, I think the Jury did the right thing.

by Joye Willett 8/7/2015 11:51:44 PM
With the murderer in general population(if he is) will and should fear those inmates for killing a child

by Tia 8/7/2015 11:51:45 PM
I am relieved. A little surprised, but relieved. I think it takes strength of character for the juror(s) who stood firm in the face of so much emotion and sorrow. My relief is not for Mr. Holmes, but for our society. I think there was value in the trial for the victims and their families, but that sort of bearing witness could have been accomplished in another forum.

by peanut 8/7/2015 11:52:03 PM
Who is this lady talking to us? Bring Phil back to help us deal with this!

by DocJ 8/7/2015 11:52:15 PM
I have been here every day since early on in this trial although I have only commented occasionally. THANK YOU phil, anica and everyone involved for the helpful coverage. Now I'm gonna go live my life again!

by Ann 8/7/2015 11:52:23 PM
Me, there will still be years and years of appeals.

by Sophia 8/7/2015 11:52:24 PM
Holmes may find out life in general population may be worse than death!

by bonz 8/7/2015 11:52:25 PM
Don't know why we need the other sentencing. Can't get more than what he's getting.

by Tammy Garrison 8/7/2015 11:52:42 PM
Something smells.....don't think I can handle the stench. Gotta try to let this go. OMG.

by BluesB 8/7/2015 11:52:44 PM
Jury took the easy route.

by Babette 8/7/2015 11:52:45 PM
Wow. I sincerely apologize to my dog for not letting her out. I would rather have missed this.

by Carolet in Denver 8/7/2015 11:52:46 PM
@Me, gonna miss you.

by Clancy 8/7/2015 11:52:47 PM
For those that don't believe there no won't be an appeal, they will already be trying to go for NGBRI, just watch!

by just Thinkin 8/7/2015 11:52:48 PM
is there going to be coverage from outside the courtroom

by wendy 8/7/2015 11:52:49 PM
I don't agree with the verdict but I wasn't in the jury room and I don't know what was said. No matter what, closure for these families does not come from a verdict but from within themselves. I would not and have not belittled or tried to shame anyone or their opinion on this blog and I think it is very unbecoming of any of you who do that. It feels like the school yard bully going nah-nah-nah. I fear that his act of "mental illness" will set back the supporters and cause for equitable treatment of the mentally ill.

by Suzi Lewis 8/7/2015 11:52:53 PM
anyone notice him smiling at the end?

by hello 8/7/2015 11:52:54 PM
I think there were some that were just to squeamish to have the DP on their conscience.

by Tammy Garrison 8/7/2015 11:52:55 PM
He probably would have never been executed anyway. But I wish he would have at least spent the rest of his miserable life on the green mile.

by caz 8/7/2015 11:52:59 PM
AC was a little ticked they have to wait that long for the sentencing hearing hence his comment... all days we were all supposed to be available for trial....

by Bill Ward 8/7/2015 11:53:02 PM
Are we going to hear from Marshall?

by MyraJ 8/7/2015 11:53:07 PM
too many guns in America..its your lax gun laws to blame...change your ridiculous gun law giving you the 'right' to own dangerous handguns/ assault weapons..makes america the pariah of the civilized world, all your flood of handguns etc

by David 8/7/2015 11:53:10 PM
Mandi'-'TOTALLY AGREE. That's why they asked for the video I bet. Trying to convince the holdout of how heinous it was. Barf. This is not justice. Hope Jimmy bites it in prison. And SOON. He'll get his due, one way or the other. ....I feel it.

by BluesB 8/7/2015 11:53:19 PM
When can we expect to be able to see the Evidence from this case?

by ismeon 8/7/2015 11:53:20 PM
Wishing Jimmy a LONG LIFE.

by Babette 8/7/2015 11:53:22 PM
I don't understand how they were unanimous in part 2 of this and came back so quickly on part 3. I REALLY hope some jurors talk. I'd love some answers.

by ms 8/7/2015 11:53:42 PM
@Sophie, JH is an adult, if he didn't want visitors or help, his parents can't force it. I don't discount his actions, but that is just it, HIS actions, not his parents!

by Pcmamanim 8/7/2015 11:53:43 PM
Phil, please explain to everyone (including the announcer on the live feed) that there will still be lengthy appeals! Getting LWOP does not mean no appeals, unless JH decides not to appeal.

by Sophia 8/7/2015 11:53:47 PM
There must have been quite a few jurors who wanted LWOP. Seems like they'd have deliberated a lot longer if there was just one who wanted it. Very surprised to hear this verdict. Wow.

by kate 8/7/2015 11:54:01 PM
IS there an appeal for LWOP? Didn't think so.... :/

by BluesB 8/7/2015 11:54:02 PM
The jury should not have known it would be automatic LWOP.

by LoriJ 8/7/2015 11:54:06 PM
Flip-maybe I'll run into you in an alley, barfing somewhere...I know I'll be there.

by BluesB 8/7/2015 11:54:10 PM
Fantastic job by the prosecution, true advocates of the victims killed and injured along with the families impacted by the killers bullets. The prosecutors were role models for our country and the world. The judge was exemplary in his duties and following the court of law. I am very proud the world was exposed to how Colorado operates. The Defense did their job in advocating for the killer with a mental illness. Not an easy job! Great job COLORADO Difficult and time consuming job! JURY GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

by CAB. 8/7/2015 11:54:19 PM
@Phil....will your station try to get interviews with jurors?

by KS 8/7/2015 11:54:20 PM
Normally if hung they are encouraged to keep deliberating until it's declared hopeless.

by LoriJ 8/7/2015 11:54:21 PM
Those with their back to the Jurors are not family members they are the law for crowd control..jeeze

by Dennie Carp 8/7/2015 11:54:30 PM
Had to watch the verdict form my phone. Those Youtube comments are out of control! I'm unsure how to feel about this, I'm just so, so proud of the victims who testified (all of the witnesses, really), the jurors, the judge, and the attorneys. This was not an easy trial for ANYONE, and I hope that the jury is confident in their decision. I also want to thank Channel 7 for covering this, and I want to thank everyone who remained respectful during this time. We are Aurora Strong!

by Proph 8/7/2015 11:54:37 PM
He's going to spend every waking day in a prison for the mentally ill. What is it about you that can't accept that as a punishment. Why must he be killed for you to be happy.

by Rich Hinton 8/7/2015 11:54:42 PM
I HATE that everyone is "buying" his fake mental illness!?!!! Come on, people. It's not a given!!! He's an actor! What the...NOW he is officially schizophrenic, huh? BS.

by BluesB 8/7/2015 11:54:45 PM
Should have been Phase 1 Insanity, but am thrilled that at least one person on the jury wasn't totally blinded by sentiments. Now let's get the D P out of the CO system and help everyone involved move on and do something that was greater than they ever imagined was within them.

by justiceisneverdeath 8/7/2015 11:54:47 PM
Biggest lies right now: 1) defense offered to take LWOP before trial (false!) and 2) there won't be money 'wasted' on appeals with LWOP sentence (false!)

by Sophia 8/7/2015 11:54:50 PM
It means colorado is not blood thirsty finally the jury wakes up

by chilly dog 8/7/2015 11:54:51 PM
This might sound a little harsh, but does anyone remember how Jeffrey Dahmer died? He was beaten to death in prison. He was found sane and was given 16 life terms. Do you think that JH will survive? No.

by vt 8/7/2015 11:54:55 PM
"Spirit" -'good thing YOU didn't go to the movie that night. You just MIGHT feel differently. Glad you love the shooter, PER your own word.

by BluesB 8/7/2015 11:54:57 PM