Despite quick conviction, theater shooting trial isn’t over

Starting next week, a jury must decide whether James Holmes should be put to death for killing 12 people when he opened fire on a packed movie theater three years ago.

Jurors will hear testimony about Holmes’ mental illness and his childhood. Prosecutors may counter with even more heartbreaking accounts from victims, ranging from those Holmes maimed to the father of his youngest victim, a 6-year-old girl who died in the July 20, 2012, attack.

There was a muted, heartbroken sense of relief Thursday afternoon after Holmes was convicted of 165 counts of murder, attempted murder and other charges.

The verdict came after 2 1/2 years of legal skirmishing and 11 weeks of grueling testimony. Jurors needed only 12 hours to reject the idea that Holmes was legally insane.

The upcoming sentencing phase could easily take another month.