Picking Jury For Colorado Theater Shooting Trial Goes Slowly
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (AP) — Three prospective jurors in the Colorado theater shooting trial used their cellphones despite a judge's order, one might have been sleeping and all of them endured a slow security screening as the long slog toward picking a jury got underway.
It could take until June to seat jurors and alternates for the trial of James Holmes, who is charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder in the July 2012 attack that killed 12 people and injured 70 at a suburban Denver movie theater.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Holmes pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Defense attorneys acknowledge Holmes was the gunman but say he was in the grip of a psychotic episode at the time.
In initial court appearances after the shooting, Holmes' hair was dyed a comic-book shade of orange and he wore a jail jumpsuit and a dazed look. He appeared more conventional Tuesday in khaki slacks, a dress shirt and blue blazer. His hair, now dark brown, was neatly trimmed, and he wore a curly, medium-length beard.
No restraints were visible, though the judge had ordered him to be tethered to the floor in a way the public could not see.
Court officials initially summoned 9,000 prospective jurors, but that figure fell to about 7,000 after some summonses could not be delivered and some people were excused. Seven more were dismissed Tuesday for various reasons.
It took deputies about an hour to screen and search the first wave of about 130 prospective jurors. Officials said more deputies would be added Wednesday to speed up the process.
The jury candidates heard instructions from the judge Tuesday and began filling out surveys with 77 questions.
No action was taken against the jurors who used phones or the one suspected of sleeping.
By Sadie Gurman, Associated Press and Dan Elliott, Associated Press
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