2:25 p.m.
CENTENNIAL | Another 40 potential jurors in the Aurora theater shooting trial were released Thursday afternoon.
Judge Carlos Samour, Jr. released the group after prosecutors and James Holmes’ lawyers agreed that they shouldn’t serve on the jury. Samour released another potential juror because he used to work in the Arapahoe County district attorney’s office.
That brings the total of released jurors over the first three days of jury selection to 121.
About 660 prospective jurors have reported to court since Tuesday in waves of about 130 at a time. That leaves about 540 jurors who have filled out their questionnaires and could still serve on the jury.
The jurors released Thursday include two who asked to be released on Wednesday. One of them told the judge they have a variety of digestive ailments and have to care for a disabled wife. The other said serving on the jury would hurt his orthodontics business because it would take him away from work.
Jury selection is expected to resume again Friday morning.
1:40 p.m.
CENTENNIAL | Judge Carlos Samour, Jr. released six more jurors from their summonses during Thursday afternoon’s session.
That brings the total of dismissed jurors in the Aurora theater shooting trial to 80. Samour hasn’t yet said how many jurors reported to Thursday’s morning session. About 130 to 140 people have reported to previous sessions.
Three of the people were released because they didn’t speak any English. In each case, the prospective juror had brought along their child to translate for them.
Others have said they don’t speak English well, but if they speak any English, the judge has opted to tell them to try their best rather than dismiss them.
Samour is expected to read his opening remarks to the afternoon session in about 15 minutes.
11:20 a.m.
CENTENNIAL | After reviewing the first batch of 135 juror questionnaires, prosecutors and lawyers for James Holmes agreed to dismiss 48 potential jurors in the Aurora theater shooting case.
Those jurors, plus five others released Thursday morning, bring the total of released jurors to 74.
It wasn’t clear what reasons the two sides gave for releasing the 48.
District Attorney George Brauchler said he didn’t want to specify in open court why the two sides decided to release the prospective jurors because he didn’t want future jurors to use the information in an effort to get released.
“I’m concerned we create a road map for someone who is going to show up tomorrow or a week from now,” he said.
Brauchler said the prosecution could file a sealed motion in the coming days explaining their reasoning.
Among those released are three who prosecutors said on Tuesday were spotted using their phones in the courtroom, a violation of the judge’s order.
Brauchler said prosecutors had 63 prospective jurors they wanted released, but the two sides only agreed on 48.
Judge Carlos Samour, Jr. said court staff will post the juror numbers for those released to the court’s website. He said he expects more from the initial group of 135 will be released in the coming days.
Holmes appeared in court wearing a dark red sweater and slacks. He sat quietly at the defense table throughout the hearing.
The two sides are due back in court at 1 p.m.
9 a.m.
CENTENNIAL | Accused theater shooter James Holmes is due in court Thursday for the third day of jury selection in his first-degree murder trial.
Thursday’s session is expected to mark the first argument between the prosecution and defense over completed jury questionnaires.
Judge Carlos Samour, Jr. said on Wednesday that his staff gave the lawyers the first batch of completed questionnaires at midday Wednesday and that they should be prepared to discuss them Thursday.
So far, in three sessions, Samour has released 21 jurors from their summonses, leaving 386 prospective jurors from the past two days who could still be on the jury.
Samour said he has been happy with the turnout so far. Court officials sent out 250 summonses for each session and expected between 120 and 150 people to report to court each session.
The afternoon session Wednesday had 141 prospective jurors in it, which is about as many as the courtroom can hold.