Posted on 07/16/2015 1:22:31 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
CENTENNIAL, Colo. —Jurors have reached a verdict in the trial of Colorado theater shooter James Holmes.
The panel made its decision Thursday after deliberating for a day and a half. A court spokesman saID the verdict will be read at 5:15 p.m. today.
Holmes has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in the July 20, 2012, shootings that killed 12 people and injured 70 others.
If the jury convicts Holmes, the trial will enter a sentencing phase with testimony about whether he should be sent to prison for life or sentenced to death. Jurors make that decision.
If they find him not guilty, he would be committed indefinitely to a state mental hospital.
Jurors heard nearly three months of testimony, including heartbreaking and sometimes gruesome survival stories.
He called an atty to the bench, one from each side. The conversation is being white-noised out.
Judge had to correct an error on a juror form. Jury is being polled.
I didn’t catch the start either. It took over an hour to read the verdicts. Now polling the jurors.
the judge explained parts B and C of the jury forms. Basically, it was to determine if the defendent was insane, or guilty of lesser crimes.
White noise, atty’s at bench, again.
Judge heard your question. He just read the questions for Parts B and C. Part B dealt with insanity and it was left blank on all the counts, which I believe means he was not judged insane for each count.
I believe you are correct.
Not sure why they’d be white noising at this stage since the verdicts are all in, unless they are concerned about influencing the penalty phase, later???
They scheduled the next phase of the trial...for next Wed. Jury instructed to remain closed mouthed until they come back. The court will decide instructions for the penalty phase.
So that’s it for now.
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