Lawyer chosen as juror in trial of accused theater shooter James Holmes
A lawyer is among the 12 jurors and 12 alternates who will hear the murder case against James Holmes, accused in the 2012 shooting at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, that killed 12 people.
It’s unknown which of the 24 panel members will be jurors and which will be alternates, report Fox 31 Denver and the Denver Post. Opening statements in the case are scheduled for April 27.
The lawyer in “seat 2” is a business owner whose business partner is about to go on leave, according to Fox 31 Denver. She also cares for her elderly parents. She is a white woman who appears to be in her 50s or 60s.
During voir dire, the lawyer said it’s a well-known fact that Holmes is the shooter, but she could put that opinion aside. She also said the death penalty “has to be the exception to the rule, rather than the rule,” according to the Denver Post account.
Another juror who teaches dental-assistance classes has a daughter who attended the premiere of the Batman movie on the night of the shooting, but not at the Aurora theater where the shooting occurred. The defense was not successful in removing her from the panel.
Another juror knew both Columbine shooters and had gone to a school dance with one of the victims. He said he had extensive therapy to deal with the trauma.
