08-07-2015, 12:24 PM
FINAL PENALTY DELIBERATIONS UNDER WAY -- LIFE OR DEATH
Earlier this week in phase 2 of the penalty deliberations, the jury decided that the mitigating factors presented did not take the death penalty off the table for them. Both James Holmes' mother and sister testified as mitigating witnesses. This week, the final and third phase of the penalty proceedings are underway.
The jury began final penalty deliberations to determine whether Holmes will live or die yesterday. In Colorado, the death penalty is conducted by lethal injection. The last time it was used was in 1994 for Gary Davis. There are three people currently on death row in the state.
![[Image: 20130626_070859_District-Attorney-George-Brauchler.jpg]](http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site36/2013/0626/20130626_070859_District-Attorney-George-Brauchler.jpg)
PROSECUTION STANCE: In closing arguments, District Attorney George Brauchler ^ played a recording of a 911 call with gunshots and screams in the background as the victims' pictures disappeared one by one from a courtroom TV screen. "For James Eagan Holmes, justice is death," he said. "Death."
![[Image: tamara-brady-lg.jpg]](https://theconservativetreehouse.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/tamara-brady-lg.jpg)
DEFENSE STANCE: Defense attorney ^ Tamara Brady said that the massacre was heartbreaking but that Holmes' schizophrenia was the sole cause. "The death of a seriously mentally ill man is not justice, no matter how tragic the case is," she said. "Please, no more death."
![[Image: marcus-weaver.jpg?w=420&h=236]](https://cbsdenver.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/marcus-weaver.jpg?w=420&h=236)
VICTIM CHANGE OF STANCE: Marcus Weaver ^ spent nearly three years talking openly about forgiving the man who shot him, killed his friend and caused untold suffering. As a Christian opposed to capital punishment, he considered forgiveness "a no-brainer" and didn't want to see the gunman executed. But he has since changed his mind and thinks Holmes should be sentenced to death.
"I feel the sentence that he may get, which is the death penalty, is the only penalty that fits the crime that he committed that night," Weaver said, standing in front of the courthouse where he listened to the tragic and gruesome testimony of fellow moviegoers that ultimately spurred his change of heart.
If the jury doesn't unanimously agree on death, Holmes will automatically receive a life sentence.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/colorado-sho...rys-hands/
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/jury...th-n405876
Earlier this week in phase 2 of the penalty deliberations, the jury decided that the mitigating factors presented did not take the death penalty off the table for them. Both James Holmes' mother and sister testified as mitigating witnesses. This week, the final and third phase of the penalty proceedings are underway.
The jury began final penalty deliberations to determine whether Holmes will live or die yesterday. In Colorado, the death penalty is conducted by lethal injection. The last time it was used was in 1994 for Gary Davis. There are three people currently on death row in the state.
PROSECUTION STANCE: In closing arguments, District Attorney George Brauchler ^ played a recording of a 911 call with gunshots and screams in the background as the victims' pictures disappeared one by one from a courtroom TV screen. "For James Eagan Holmes, justice is death," he said. "Death."
DEFENSE STANCE: Defense attorney ^ Tamara Brady said that the massacre was heartbreaking but that Holmes' schizophrenia was the sole cause. "The death of a seriously mentally ill man is not justice, no matter how tragic the case is," she said. "Please, no more death."
VICTIM CHANGE OF STANCE: Marcus Weaver ^ spent nearly three years talking openly about forgiving the man who shot him, killed his friend and caused untold suffering. As a Christian opposed to capital punishment, he considered forgiveness "a no-brainer" and didn't want to see the gunman executed. But he has since changed his mind and thinks Holmes should be sentenced to death.
"I feel the sentence that he may get, which is the death penalty, is the only penalty that fits the crime that he committed that night," Weaver said, standing in front of the courthouse where he listened to the tragic and gruesome testimony of fellow moviegoers that ultimately spurred his change of heart.
If the jury doesn't unanimously agree on death, Holmes will automatically receive a life sentence.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/colorado-sho...rys-hands/
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/jury...th-n405876