Prosecutors announced Monday that they will seek the death penalty for Colorado theater shooting suspect James Holmes, who is accused of killing 12 dead and injuring 70 in last year’s attack.
The decision followed prosecutors’ rejection last week of Mr. Holmes’ attempt to enter a guilty plea. The Associated Press reports that prosecutors didn’t believe a life sentence would have served the victims and their families well.
Mr. Holmes’ case could last for years, AP reports. His attorneys are expected to present an argument that he was legally insane during the incident.
“It could be 10 or 15 years before he’s executed. I would be in my 40s and I’m planning to have a family, and the thought of having to look back and reliving everything at that point in my life, it would be difficult,” said one victim, in the AP report.
Mr. Holmes is charged with numerous murder and attempted murder charges for his alleged role in the July 20 shooting during the midnight showing of “The Dark Knight Rises.”
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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