#HolmesTrial: Opening statements
The prosecution and defense laid out their opening statements Monday in the trial of alleged Aurora theater shooter James Holmes.
KRDO NewsChannel 13’s Bonnie Silkman, Rana Novini and Emily Allen are covering the proceedings.
5:28 p.m. – The defense has wrapped up its opening statements.
4:30 p.m. – Defense attorney details family history of mental illness.
4:22 p.m. Associated Press Update:
A defense attorney has showed jurors a video of James Holmes shortly after his arrest in a deadly 2012 rampage at a Colorado movie theater.
Investigators put paper bags on Holmes’ hands to preserve evidence.
On the video, Holmes can be seen and heard playing with the bags. An officer asks Holmes what he thinks the bags are for, and Holmes replies “popcorn.”
King says Holmes’ bizarre behavior continued in jail, where he heard voices and believed others could read his thoughts. King disputed prosecutors’ claim that Holmes stopped eating and drinking, and that’s what made him delusional.
King noted Holmes has been medicated for two years and still believes his delusions.
4:14 p.m. – Defense painting a picture of a severely mentally disturbed individual.
4:04 p.m. – Defense says Holmes has schizophrenia, was “not in control” at time of shooting.
3:27 p.m. – The defense is now presenting opening statements. They are allowed up to 2 hours.
3:26 p.m. – Court is back in session.
3:02 p.m. – Prosecutor says Holmes murdered 12 people and tried to murder 70 others, asks jury to hold him accountable.
2:59 p.m. – Prosecutor mentions victim Caleb Medley. Medley, from Florence, survived the shooting. Prosecutor says Medley was shot in the face. He lost an eye. His wife, who is 9 months pregnant, thought he was dying as she was whisked out of the theater by rescuers. Prosecutor says she said “I will raise our son.”
2:54 p.m. – Prosecutor shows pictures of victims in order that they were killed.
2:00 p.m. Associated Press Update:
The prosecutor in the Colorado movie theater shooting trial says the experts who examined the gunman couldn’t agree on what mental disorder he has.
District Attorney George Brauchler also says James Holmes, a former graduate student in neuroscience, gave them conflicting answers about his motives.
Brauchler noted during opening arguments that Holmes told one state expert he decided to carry out the shooting in a movie theater because of the possibility of mass casualties. But Brauchler says Holmes told a defense expert he chose the setting because he liked the movies.
When asked about the discrepancy, Holmes allegedly responded “Things change with time” and offered no other explanation.
Openings statements started Monday with prosecutors laying out their case. Each side is allowed two hours.
1:55 p.m. – Prosecutor Brauchler is painting a picture of an intelligent man with a bright academic future whose life fell apart because of crippling social anxiety.
1:14 p.m. – Opening statements are underway. Prosecutor George Brauchler is speaking.
1:03 p.m. – Court in short recess. Judge explained court rules to the jury. The prosecution is expected to make its opening statements when court resumes.
12:12 – The judge is explaining to the jury how today will unfold.
