DENVER, Dec. 20 (UPI) — The parents of the man accused of opening fire in a movie theater and killing 12 people begged the court to spare his life because he is mentally ill.
Robert and Arlene Holmes {link:asked prosecutors: “http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/12/19/aurora-shooter-parents-plead/20631983/”,nw} to agree to a plea deal that would give James Holmes life in prison. They said a trial would cause “additional trauma” for everyone involved.
“We have read postings on the Internet that have likened him to a monster. He is not a monster. He is a human being gripped by a severe mental illness,” the couple said in a {link:letter to prosecutors.: “http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_27167532/james-holmes-parents-plead-him-be-spared-from”,nw} “We believe that the death penalty is morally wrong, especially when the condemned is mentally ill.”
Holmes, 27, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity after the 2012 attack at a theater in Aurora, located outside Denver. Investigators said Holmes donned riot gear after entering the movie theater, tossed two gas canisters inside and opened fire. In addition to the 12 killed, 58 others were injured.
Jury selection is scheduled to being Jan. 20.
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