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Emotional Victim Impact Testimony Wraps Up In Theater Shooting Trial

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4)- The emotional testimony in the victim impact period of the sentencing phase in the Aurora theater shooting trial wrapped up on Wednesday afternoon.

The final witness called to testify was Ashley Moser, who lost her 6-year-old daughter Veronica Moser-Sullivan, her unborn child and was paralyzed in the shooting.

Veronica Moser-Sullivan
Veronica Moser-Sullivan (credit: CBS)

Her testimony wrapped up days of grief and loss as prosecutors tried to persuade jurors that death, not life without parole, is the appropriate punishment for James Holmes, convicted in the theater shooting. Jurors rejected his insanity plea.

Jurors have known Veronica through her picture displayed during the trial. On Wednesday, they heard her voice for the first time, which brought many jurors to tears.

LIVE VIDEO: Watch The Trial Live At CBS4's Theater Shooting Trial Special Section

Moser told the court that the gunman took everything from her the night of July 20, 2012.

"I was a mom when I was 18 and now I'm not a mom," said Moser.

Robert Sullivan was Veronica's grandfather, "At six, there were only six years, but there were seeds of great potential."

Matthew McQuinn was another victim in the theater shooting. He died saving his girlfriend's life.

Matt McQuinn (Theater Shooting Dead, from family via attorney)
Matt McQuinn (credit: McQuinn Family)

"I told him I was proud of him because he saved Samantha's life and we'd take care of her," said Matthew's mother Jerri Jackson.

Most family members called to testify were parents who had to bury their children.

Caren Teves remembered her son Alex, who she described as brave and funny, hoping she will always remember those things about him.

Alex Sullivan
Alex Sullivan (credit: CBS)

"I'm petrified I'm going to forget his laugh or his voice," said Teves.

Jurors will begin deliberating the sentence Thursday or Friday, after prosecutors and defense attorneys make their last round of closing arguments.

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