Another Juror Dismissed In Theater Shooting Trial
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4) - Another juror was dismissed in the Aurora theater shooting trial after the judge determined that she was not being completely honest about recognizing a witness.
It was the fifth juror dismissed since the trial began. The defense requested her dismissal in court on Wednesday. The defense claims that juror 267 was not forthcoming when she previously indicated that she recognized a witness who testified in May.
The juror, a Hispanic, middle-aged woman, told the judge that she recognized a witness, Maria Carbonnel, who brings children into the school where the juror works.
"I don't believe you were completely forthcoming and candid with me when Ms. Carbonnel testified. I think Ms. Carbonnel recognized you and she told us about it," said Judge Carlos A. Samour Jr.
On Monday, Samour removed a fourth juror after that juror's brother-in-law was shot during a robbery at an ATM.
Last week three jurors were kicked off for possibly hearing or overhearing information outside of the courtroom.
The remaining 19 jurors will continue hearing the case.
Prosecutors then presented more victims with more accounts of the attack on the theater. Using crutches to reach the witness stand was Kate Zoghbi. She was severely wounded and recalled feeling like God wrapped her up.
"I've never felt the amount of peace I felt in that moment when I thought I wasn't going to make it," Zoghbi said.
More tales of horror came from Alleen Young who still has shotgun pellets lodged in her heart and elsewhere.
"I had been shot in my neck and also my lungs so I was chocking and drowning in my own blood," Young said.
James Holmes has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity for the attack on July 20, 2012.
The prosecution has indicated that it will rest on Friday. Ashley Moser will testify on that day. She was paralyzed in the shooting, lost her daughter, Veronica Moser-Sullivan in the shooting, and also lost the baby she was carrying.
The defense is scheduled to begin presenting its case on Thursday. There will be no jury on Monday through Wednesday next week but attorneys may work on the case during that time.
