Colorado judge denies victims access to Aurora theater rampage documents
Police say James Holmes killed 12 people during a shooting at a movie theater in Colorado.
October 31st, 2012
02:49 AM ET

Colorado judge denies victims access to Aurora theater rampage documents

A judge  has said no to a motion that would have allowed victims of the Aurora theater shooting to look at sealed court documents.

James Holmes is accused of opening fire July 20 in Aurora during a midnight premiere of the latest Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." The rampage left 12 people dead and 58 injured.

Victims were seeking access to court documents and 911 calls.

Releasing the information would "jeopardize defendant’s right to a fair trial," a judge in the case said Tuesday.

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Filed under: Crime • Justice • U.S.
soundoff (148 Responses)
  1. Sarah

    Does anyone know if he is still in solitary? if so, they should definitely let him play with the other inmates and we can find out how crazy he really is. If they don't do the job, I feel the court has every right to take this man's life, an obligation really. Lethal injection seems like a generous offer

    November 15, 2012 at 8:41 am | Report abuse |
    • Cindy

      Victims get denied and the bad guy get's his way ..... makes you think. We as a society have to be very careful who elect to be the judges that decide what is best for us .... this judge in particular has to go.

      December 12, 2012 at 6:27 pm | Report abuse |
    • Geogal

      To those complaining that "the rights of criminals exceeds those who are the victims of crimes..." and such....

      The system is set up that way because not all who are accused are guilty. Even if it seems pretty clear that someone is guilty, the procedures must still be followed to ensure continued protection for those who may not be guilty. You can't just change the rules as you see fit from case to case....

      If the judge were to allow the victims' their request, the defendant could come back later and say he did not get his right to a fair trial....and charges against him could be dropped. It is in the victims' best interest for the judge to rule as he did.

      December 24, 2012 at 4:47 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Jeohzfxfgnutfghmmh

    Blah

    November 24, 2012 at 5:34 pm | Report abuse |
  3. jasmine

    Its pretty obvious he is guilty but legally he is due a fair trial. Prisoners seem to have to many rights and an easy life being fed .....medically well cared for and a roof over their head. Makes you wonder if life on the outside is all worth is really all that rosy.

    November 30, 2012 at 6:38 am | Report abuse |
  4. Gabe Horn

    I forgive him.

    December 13, 2012 at 4:32 pm | Report abuse |
  5. DONALD E TURNEY

    THE "RIGHTS" OF CRIMINALS FAR EXCEEDS THOSE WHO ARE THE VICTIMS OF CRIMES. THOSE WHO DO NOT SURVIVE ARE BURIED AND THEN FORGOTTEN BY THE U.S. JUSTICE SYSTEM. IT SEEMS OK TO TRASH THE DEAD VICTIM IN COURT, BUT NOT OK TO BRING UP PAST CRIMINAL HISTORY OF THE ACCCUSED. IT MIGHT PREJUDICE THE JURORS. IT SEEMS THIS IS A GREAT COUNTRY IN WHICHTO LIVE IF YOU DO NOT GET KILLED IN THE PROCESS.

    December 14, 2012 at 10:36 pm | Report abuse |
    • aktap

      Most of our laws are based on laws that are 200 years old or older. I think the the magna carter is like 6 or 7 hundred, and believe most of our common civil rights come from it. Some how most of theses laws just don't seem to fit very well in this modern world?

      December 16, 2012 at 2:17 pm | Report abuse |
  6. wendie

    and you wonder why your country is like it is with all these shootings.

    December 17, 2012 at 3:39 pm | Report abuse |
  7. Michael Smith

    Isn't It against the law for a judge to withhold information from all parties involved?

    December 24, 2012 at 5:15 pm | Report abuse |
    • Academic

      The victims are techinically witnesses, and do not have the right to access all the evidence. It is the prosecution and the defence (and the accused) that have the right to access to evidence.

      I believe a lot of the material the victims are asking for will be used in the trial. At that point, it will be in the public recoird and they will have access to it. Worst case senario they will get access to this material after this trial has concluded.

      The challenging part of the criminal justice system is that this all takes time. Usually years.

      After the criminal trial there will likely be few civil trial.

      January 2, 2013 at 5:55 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Perry Mason

    Allow the victims families to choose the best punishment. They could vote on the preferred outcome. No trial needed.

    January 7, 2013 at 1:23 pm | Report abuse |
    • Not a chance

      Ignorant and incorrect statement. Why support mindless mob mentality?

      Unlike most of the brilliant peanut gallery on this page, the judge knows what he is doing.

      No trial needed? Why post such brainless commentary? LOL.

      January 13, 2013 at 9:47 pm | Report abuse |
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