James Holmes, in an Arapahoe County, Colo., court on July 23.; Credit: AP
The judge presiding over the James Holmes trial will decide this week if he will allow cameras in the courtroom during the trial.
The Associated Press, the Denver Post, as well as other media organizations have asked the judge to allow both still and video cameras in the courtroom. Prosecutors in the case want cameras banned, saying that they would place too much harmful attention on victims who testify and that television coverage would alter the way witnesses behave. Defense lawyers in the case also want cameras out of the courtroom.
According to the Denver Post, prosecutors plan to summon 70 people who survived the July 2012 movie theater shooting in Aurora to testify.
Holmes is scheduled to stand trial in December on charges of killing 12 people and injuring 70 in the shooting. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Guests:
Christine Ward, Executive Director of Crime Victims Action Alliance
Steven Zansberg, Partner at Levine, Sullivan, Koch & Schulz, a law firm in Denver. Zansberg is representing the AP and the Denver Post in their request to have a photographer in the courtroom