CENTENNIAL, Colo. (AP) — The father of Colorado theater shooter James Holmes says his son “was not a violent person” until he killed 12 people and injured 70 others in a packed movie premiere.

During testimony Wednesday, Robert Holmes referred to the 2012 attack as “the event” several times. In response to questions from a prosecutor, he said of his son wasn’t violent “until the event.”

Robert Holmes wrapped up his second day on the stand during the sentencing phase of his son’s trial.

At one point, he mouthed something to his son and the two of them smiled before a sheriff’s deputy told the elder Holmes to stop.

James Holmes’ mother is expected to take the stand later in the day for her first comments since the trial began April 27.