From the Aurora Sentinel: Another hearing in the James Holmes case — this one focused on the jury questionnaire — will be closed to the public, a judge ruled Wednesday.
Judge Carlos Samour, Jr. said in an order issued Wednesday and unsealed Thursday that the public and the press will be allowed to attend the first part of the May 5 hearing, when the two sides are expected to discuss other issues surrounding jury selection.
But when the two sides take up the specific questions jurors will be asked, Samour said the courtroom will be closed. The prosecution and defense had asked that the hearing be closed, arguing that the release of the questions could taint the jury pool.
Barring the press and public from criminal courtrooms is extremely rare in Colorado, but this marks the second hearing in the Holmes case that has been closed. Samour previously closed a hearing where the two sides discussed Holmes’ psychiatric evaluation.
Holmes is accused of killing 12 and wounding dozens more during a July 2012 shooting rampage at an Aurora theater. He has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.