Source: Pool / Getty
The verdict is finally in for the fate of James Holmes, shooter in mass murder of a Colorado Movie Theater.
James E. Holmes
Finally.
Via CNN
James Holmes will spend the rest of his life in prison for killing 12 people and wounding 70 more at an Aurora, Colorado, movie theater.
A jury was unable Friday to reach a unanimous sentencing verdict, which results in life in prison without parole instead of the death penalty for Holmes, who had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in the 2012 shootings. He was convicted last month of 24 counts of first-degree murder — two for each of the slain victims.
The 12-member jury reached a decision after deliberating almost seven hours since late Thursday. As they walked back into the courtroom shortly after 5 p.m. (7 p.m. ET), they made no eye contact with anyone.
Holmes stood with his hands in his pockets as Judge Carlos Samour read the sentencing verdicts.
One female juror later told reporters that there was no way to resolve the disagreement on what the sentence should be.
“There was one firm holdout against the death penalty and two … who were on the fence,” said the juror, who would not give her name. “I don’t know if they could have been swayed or not.” She said the graphic nature of the evidence made the 15-week trial very difficult. She called it a life-changing experience.
Some of the victims who were present were disappointed in the sentencing
As the judge read on, several people in the area where family members and survivors had been sitting heeded the judge’s prior admonition and left the courtroom instead of reacting emotionally.
Ashley Moser, who is paralyzed and lost her 6-year-old daughter during the shooting, sobbed in her wheelchair and shook her head.
SMH, if he were black, chances are he wouldn’t have made it out of that theater alive. Thank goodness this creep is going to be put away forever! Do you think a life sentence was enough?
AP
