Theater Shooting Jury Has Questions During Day Of Deliberation
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4) - The jury in the Aurora theater shooting trial had several questions for the judge on the first day of deliberation on Wednesday.
The jury, made up of nine women and three men, gathered at 9 a.m. Wednesday in a room at the Arapahoe County Justice Center in Centennial to decide the fate of gunman James Holmes.
They will determine whether Holmes was sane when he opened fire inside a crowded theater in Aurora on July 20, 2012. He has been charged with more than 165 counts in the attack.
No decision was made on Wednesday and the jury was excused for the day late in the afternoon.
The first question from jurors had to do with the hours they will work and materials needed for examination of evidence during deliberation.
Judge Carlos Samour read the request from the jury in court where the gunman, his lawyers and the prosecution team gathered.
"On the top it says hours of jury 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., so those are apparently the hours they are going to be speaking and it says we request a white board and it's signed by the foreperson," said Samour.
The second question was if there was a guide to all the evidence but the answer was no.
An alternate juror also asked if there would be access to a fax machine during deliberations so that he/she could go work while waiting for the jury to reach a verdict. The judge allowed access to the fax machine.
Another question was about information from the psychiatrists who testified.
"The reports and notes of these witnesses were not admitted into evidence. With the exception of live ammunition you have all the exhibits that was entered into evidence," Samour said.
Samour said every time the jury poses a question he will reconvene those players inside the courtroom so that all parties have the opportunity to hear and respond to what the jury is asking and/or requesting.
LIVE VIDEO: Watch The Trial Live At CBS4's Theater Shooting Trial Special Section
If the jury finds Holmes guilty a new sentencing trial will begin immediately after the verdict is announced. If jurors find Holmes was legally insane, he'll be committed to a state mental hospital indefinitely.
