Courtroom Blog: Amy Bishop Pleads Guilty In UAHuntsville Shooting
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – This is a blog of Amy Bishop’s court appearance on Tuesday, September 11.
Bishop pleaded guilty to one count of capital murder and three counts of attempted murder. She is accused of shooting six people, killing three, on the UAHuntsville campus in February 2010.
Because Bishop pleaded guilty to capital murder, by law, she must have a trial. That will happen September 24 in the Madison County Courthouse.
The lawyers are still here, but Bishop left with jail personnel.
The hearing is wrapping up. Judge Mann has asked everyone to stay seated until the parties leave.
Someone’s cell phone just rang twice. Judge Mann did not look pleased.
Sept. 24 – 10am in Courtroom 1. Bishop will have a trial for her capital murder charge.
She has pleaded ‘guilty’ to all charges. “are you pleading guilty to all these counts because you are guilty?” the judge asked. “Yes,” Bishop replied.
Judge Mann is asking how she pleads. “Guilty” she says.
Asst. DA Tim Gann is now explaining the facts in the case. He is naming the people who were shot – those who died, and those who survived.
The judge is making sure Bishop fully understands what she is pleading to. He is asking her if anyone has threatened, coerced her to plead guilty. She seems to fully understand her plea.
Judge Mann asks Bishop if she wants to withdraw her previous pleas of not guilty. She says yes. He asks if she understands she has a right to a trial by jury. She says yes.
Bishop is replying yes to all of Judge Mann’s questions. He is asking her, and her lawyers, if they are confident Bishop understands the charges, and is mentally competent to understand what is happening. The lawyers say yes. They said she spoke with a psychologist as recently as Sunday.
Attorneys have turned in a plea agreement relating to the charges. Bishop says her lawyers have reviewed the documents, and she confirms she has signed the documents.
Judge Mann asks Bishop if she understands the penalties the charges carry. She says yes.
Judge Mann is speaking about the case, and who is involved. The defense has waived the reading of the indictment. Judge Mann is asking Bishop if she understands charges. She says yes, she does.
Amy Bishop and her lawyers are in front of Judge Mann.
Judge Mann is here. here we go.
There is heavy security presence.
Bishop appears calm. Her hair is a tiny bit shorter than her last court appearance. She is wearing red jail clothing and a black bulletproof vest. She is not wearing any makeup or jewelry. She is talking calmly with her lawyers.
Many people have come up to the 8th floor from other parts of the courthouse to watch this hearing.
Judge Alan Mann is not in the courtroom, but we expect him to walk in at any minute. It’s very quiet.
For the defense, Amy Bishop is sitting, and her three attorneys, Barry Abston, Roy Miller and Robert Tuten are present.
Prosecutors are here, including Madison County district Attorney Rob Broussard, and assistant District Attorneys Tim Gann and Maggie Wallace.
This is a small courtroom on the 8th floor – seats are filled and several people are standing.
Amy Bishop is in the courtroom. Many people are gathered for the hearing.
The courtroom blog is over. Here’s the full story of what happened in the hearing: http://whnt.com/2012/09/11/amy-bishop-pleads-guilty-in-uahuntsville-shooting/