Formal sentencing of convicted Aurora theater shooter begins Monday

Decide Carlos Samour Jr.is listening to from victims earlier than formally sentencing Holmes to life, together with separate sentences for the accidents he prompted, and for booby-trapping his condominium with explosives and incendiaries meant to divert first-responders away from the theater as he attacked.

The 27-year-old onetime neuroscience graduate student had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, and prosecutors had sought the death penalty. He said the jury was fair and impartial and that he tried his utmost to be the same. But they were divided on the sentence, with 11 favoring death and one favoring life in prison without parole. “The message that the state of Colorado values the life of a mass murderer more than the people he murdered”.

Akutagawa said, “There was not any hate or anger in Becky’s heart, and I know she wouldn’t want anyone to carry that burden”.

Kathleen Pourciau, mother of Baton Rouge’s BonnieKate Pourciau Zoghbi, looked a Colorado judge in the eye Monday morning and asked, “How many people do you have to kill to get the death penalty?” More than 100 victims and witnesses were expected to testify, CBS News reported.

Police testimony during the trial showed Holmes purchased a ticket to the midnight screening of the movie and sat in the front row.

Holmes’ attorneys blamed the massacre on his schizophrenia and psychotic delusions, and experts testified that it wouldn’t have happened if he were not seriously mentally ill.

Robert Sullivan, the grandfather of the youngest victim, 6-year-old Veronica Moser-Sullivan, called on Holmes to “do the correct thing for once” and petition the court to be executed by firing squad.

The three-day hearing that began Monday gives survivors a chance to share their stories with the judge, but it won’t change Holmes’ sentence.

Other people told Samour about the physical pain, the grief and the despair Holmes’ rampage caused.

Her sister, Brooke, described “drowning in pain and sadness”.

The defense will also have the opportunity to call witnesses, including Holmes himself if he so chooses.

Aurora Police Cmdr. Michael Dailey spoke of the emotional trauma that he and other officers – including his wife, an Aurora officer – suffered in the chaotic and bloody aftermath of the shooting.

Dailey says he hopes every day is painful for Holmes and that “prison is not kind to him”.

Anita Busch, whose cousin Micalya Medek was among those killed, said: “I will never forgive the monster that sits in this courtroom, smiling and laughing with his defence attorneys when the jury and your honour are out of the room”. “I hope prison gives him his just rewards”.