CENTENNIAL | A woman whose daughter nearly attended “The Dark Knight Rises,” where accused theater shooter James Holmes killed 12 and wounded 70, was kept as a potential juror Wednesday.
The woman, who said her daughter’s friend was among those who were killed, cried during questioning April 8 and said that despite her connection to the shooting and her previous experiences, she could be fair and impartial.
“I have had bumps in my road. I lost a child,” the prospective juror said during questioning by Holmes’ attorneys.
Judge Carlos Samour Jr. said the juror wasas “a tough person” and a “very strong woman.”
One juror was released because in 2008 he witnessed a shooting at a house party on Halloween. He said that serving as a juror would be emotionally difficult and would bring back bad memories. Other jurors were released for financial hardship, the inability to presume Holmes as innocent and the inability to sentence a defendant to death.
As of April 8, 111 jurors have been scheduled for group questioning on April 13th. The final 24 jurors that will hear the case will be selected during group questioning next week. Opening statements are scheduled for April 27.
It is not going to be easy for anyone to serve on this jury.