Holmes Trial: Southern Colorado family says guilty verdict brings relief
A Southern Colorado family affected by the Aurora Theatre slayings said the jury’s guilty verdict in James Holmes’ case offered them relief.
Caleb and Katie Medley were attending the “Dark Knight Rises” when James Holmes opened fire in the crowded theater. Twelve people were killed and 70 were injured. Caleb was shot in the face and suffered severe brain trauma.
Katie was expecting the couple’s first child within days. She gave birth to their son, Hugo, while Caleb underwent another round of surgery.
The two testified during the trial and told jurors the horrors of that night as well as the impact the shooting has had on their lives.
After the jury found Holmes guilty on all 165 accounts, the Medleys said they felt bittersweet about the decision.
“It’s just sad. You look around this room full of people and it’s people who have lost their sons and their daughters and their brothers and it’s hard to wrap your mind around. In a way it kind of feels good and we said congratulations to each other but there is really not a word for what happened. We are glad we got (guilty verdicts) but we are all sad that we are here right now,” said Katie.
The jury found Holmes guilty of attempted murder in the counts involving Katie and Caleb. Caleb said he felt “relief” when the judge read the first “guilty” verdict and he “wants it over.”
Caleb’s father, Otis Medley, described the anticipation leading up to the announcement,
“It was tough. We didn’t know, we didn’t know, and it was hard to watch him (the judge) flip pages,” said Otis Medley.
The family said they want to see Holmes put to death, even if it means the case will drag out in the court system for years.
In the meantime, Otis Medley said they will continue to focus on the couple’s son Hugo and helping Caleb get better.
“Just getting Caleb better. That’s been our focus and will continue to be our focus,” he said.
Attorneys will be back in court on Monday and jurors will back on Wednesday for the sentencing phase.
