Judge accepts plea of not guilty by insanity in Colo theatre shootings
Posted June 4, 2013 9:28 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CENTENNIAL, COLO (NEWS1130) – A judge has accepted James Holmes’ plea of not guilty by reason of insanity in the Colorado theatre shootings.
Today’s decision sets the stage for a lengthy mental evaluation for Holmes, who is accused of shooting 12 people to death and injuring 70 others in a packed Denver-area movie theatre in July.
The evaluation could take months.
Holmes is charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Holmes’ lawyers have repeatedly said he is mentally ill, but they delayed the insanity plea while arguing that state laws were unconstitutional. They said the laws could hobble the defence if Holmes’ case should ever reach the phase where the jury decides if he should be executed.
The judge rejected that argument last week.
