Victims In Theater Shooting Have Mixed Emotions About Death Penalty For Gunman
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4) - Now that a verdict has been reached, many victims in the Aurora theater shooting are eager to get to the sentencing phase. It will likely be just as difficult and emotional as the trial.
"We hope that the jurors will do the right thing and we're very happy that this animal, this monster will never see the light of day," said Sandy Phillips, deceased victim Jessica Ghawi's mother, after the verdict was read on Thursday.
Strong emotions come from family and victims as they now turn their attention to the next phase of the theater shooting trial. Opinions differ on exactly what sentence the convicted shooter should get.
"I'm happy with life, if he gets life. However, I've been fighting for the death penalty because that's what John would've wanted," said Jansen Young.
LIVE VIDEO: Watch The Trial Live At CBS4's Theater Shooting Trial Special Section
She was inside the theater the night of the attack, with her boyfriend Jonathan Blunk. He died saving her life, and now she fights because he can't.
"Because I'm not for the death penalty, I've been feeling guilt, and it's been hard to continue to fight for that," she said.
It's not hard for other families who believe death is what he deserves.
"I hope I can do everything I can to see that this guy's Colorado privileges are taken away, that he no longer gets to breathe the sweet air us Coloradans get to breathe anymore," said Tom Sullivan, father of shooting victim Alex Sullivan.
While emotion drove reaction to the verdict, some found the justice they were waiting for all along.
"We don't care if he ends up getting the death penalty or not, it's over for us. If I never see or hear his name again, I'll be perfectly happy," said Lonnie Phillips, Ghawi's dad.
Testimony is set to begin Wednesday morning, and the sentencing phase is expected to last several weeks.
