Verdict reached in second step of Aurora theater shooting trial sentencing

Source: The Denver Post

CENTENNIAL — Jurors have reached a verdict in the second step of the death penalty sentencing trial for the Aurora movie theater shooting.

The verdict will be announced at 12:30p.m.

The decision by the jury of nine women and three men came after less than three hours of deliberation spread out over two days. Jurors began deliberating in this second penalty phase late on Thursday. Depending on what the verdict is, the trial could end immediately with a life sentence for James Holmes, or it could carry forward into the third and final step of the sentencing process.

Colorado's system for deciding on a possible death sentence is layered, with jurors having to deliberate three times if they are to deliver a death verdict.

Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/theater-shooting-trial/ci_28577954/verdict-reached-second-step-aurora-theater-shooting-trial