Prosecution tests jurors’ patience, remains "on schedule"
Witness Brent Lowak describes his and victim Jessica Ghawi’s placement in the theater during the shooting, May 20, 2015.
CENTENNIAL, Colo. — When defendant James Holmes fired into the crowd of the Century 16 movie theater on July 20, 2012, his weapons left more than 240 bullet holes and impacts. On Wednesday, the prosecution walked jurors through almost each and every one.
Guided by questions from prosecutor Karen Pearson, FBI forensic examiner Brett Mills described every bullet trajectory his team was able to measure, row by row, seat by seat. Using rods, lasers and other measuring devices, Mills and his team reconstructed trajectories ranging from simple straight lines to complex ricochet patterns, some tearing straight through multiple theater seats.
The unshakably repetitive testimony had jurors looking bored, and at least one spectator on the media side fell asleep. But when Mills showed photographs of the laser trajectories he’d tracked, the effect was dramatic: Dozens of beams of light, hitting seats all over the theater, all originating from the same infamous corner.
Other witnesses called to the stand Wednesday included the defendant’s landlord, the proprietor of an online store where he bought his ballistic helmet, and a grad school professor and classmate. Both professor and classmate testified about Holmes’ personality in class, calling him “introverted” and “shy” but denying that he ever seemed “detached from reality.” His landlord described him as having a “soft demeanor.” The prosecution, which seeks the death penalty, is using statements like these to bolster its case for Holmes’ sanity.
Four victims of the shooting also testified today. Three friends of Micayla Medek, who was killed in the shooting, told the kind of frightening tales of shock and fear the jury has heard many times before.
Brent Lowak, an emergency medical technician and firefighter and best friend to victim Jessica Ghawi, gave an empowered testimony as Ghawi’s mother and father looked on. He told jurors how he’d put pressure on Ghawi’s wounds and then prayed over her when he realized she wouldn’t make it. Lowak, though injured, helped with medical triage and was one of the last to leave the scene.
It seems the prosecution may be taking longer than expected. Judge Samour checked in about their timeline Wednesday afternoon. “A few weeks ago,” he reminded prosecutor Rich Orman, “You said you were running ahead of schedule.”
Orman, after a moment of hesitation, said that they were now “on schedule.”
Samour made himself clear: “That’s all the time you have.”
Editor’s Note: CU News Corps will remember the victims of the tragedy with every post via this graphic.