AURORA | A Columbine High School shooting survivor and a woman who babysat, years ago, the wife of a slain Aurora theater shooting victim were asked to return for more questioning Monday during jury selection in the theater shooting trial.
That brings the total to more than 70 prospective jurors asked to return for group questioning April 13. Judge Carlos Samour Jr. has said he wants between 120 and 130 jurors for the next round.
The Columbine survivor, a white man in his 30s, said he thought his experience surrounding the 1999 shooting at the Colorado high school would make him an ideal juror.
The man said he was close friends with the shooters, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, during middle school, and his prom date was one of the students killed during the shooting.
āIām uniquely on both sides of the Columbine shooting,ā he said.
The man said that while his experience with the killers taught him even people guilty of heinous crimes are people, too, the death of his close friend showed him the need for justice.
Another juror asked to return said she babysat for Alex Sullivanās wife, Cassie, when she was an infant more than 25 years ago.
The woman said she lost contact with the family and said her experience wouldnāt color her judgment.
Lawyers for accused shooter James Holmes disagreed and asked the judge to dismiss the woman.
After questioning her further, Samour sided with prosecutors and asked the woman to return for further questioning.
Jury selection is set to continue Tuesday morning.