Best moments: first day of group jury selection for the James Holmes murder trial:
1. The pastor who didn鈥檛 think he should sit on the jury because of his relationship with the grandmother of one of the victims. 鈥淚 have an emotional attachment to the woman I loved quite dearly.鈥� He had prayed with her, but couldn鈥檛 remember her name. Scratched.
2. Woman who is not sure she could be a good juror because she 鈥渃ries at everything. Weddings鈥V shows鈥︹�� Judge Carlos Samour explained to her, 鈥淓motions are things we all have鈥nless you鈥檙e going to have a loud cry.鈥� One of the prosecutors brought out a box of tissues and passed them over to the jury box. One of the Final 93.
3. James Holmes has a new haircut and he鈥檚 shaved his beard, leaving the mustache. His demeanor is neutral, rarely looking at the people who may decide his fate. He is relaxed and wears civilian clothes: often khakis and button-down shirts. He is not handcuffed but is wearing shackles on lower legs.
4. The guy with a thick head of silver hair who wants off the jury because he has rented a place for a week in Sturgis for the big motorcyle rally. (not) One of the Final 93.
5. Love is in the air: there is a married couple (the woman is taking herself off to let her husband be considered,) two prospective jurors know each other because their kids have been dating for years, and one woman moved her honeymoon up so that if she鈥檚 chosen, she can serve.
6. Quote of the day: 鈥淚f you鈥檙e detecting an accent, it鈥檚 not me. It鈥檚 you.鈥� 鈥� Judge Carlos Samour, who is from El Salvador.