Fate Of Aurora Theater Gunman In Hands Of Jury
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4)- The fate of the gunman in the Aurora theater shooting was handed over the jury on Wednesday morning after closing arguments on Tuesday. Nine women and three men will decide if James Holmes was sane when he carried out the attack.
On Tuesday, the jury heard more than four hours of closing arguments after testimony from hundreds of witnesses that included nearly everyone who was injured and family members of victims who were killed.
If the jury finds Holmes guilty a new sentencing trial will begin immediately after the verdict is announced.
During closing arguments, District Attorney George Brauchler never mentioned Holmes by name, instead referring to him in generic terms, "This guy gets held accountable. That's what the evidence says."
LIVE VIDEO: Watch The Trial Live At CBS4's Theater Shooting Trial Special Section
Brauchler said the shooting was about Holmes' ego.
Also during closing arguments, jurors also heard 911 calls from inside the theater where 12 people were killed, including 6-year-old Veronica Moser-Sullivan.
Prosecutors had to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Holmes was sane during the attack.
Dan King represented Holmes during the trial, "All of the experts have said that James Holmes is very, seriously mentally ill."
Experts testified that Holmes believed a delusion that killing increased his value. Doctors for both sides disagree on his sanity and attorneys attacked both during the course of the trial.
In one instance, the defense accused Dr. William Reid of coaxing Holmes to answer in specific ways during an edited video of his exam.
His fate relies entirely on which doctors jurors believe are the most credible.
If he's found guilty of first-degree murder, he could face the death penalty.
If jurors find Holmes was legally insane, he'll be committed to a state mental hospital indefinitely.
"He's not guilty by reason of insanity," said King.
"Sane, sane, sane, guilty," said Brauchler.
