Author Topic: 'Trial of the Century': Killer's sanity at question as Holmes case begins in Colorado  (Read 429 times)

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Offline flowers

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http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/04/27/trial-century-killer-sanity-at-question-as-holmes-case-begins-in-colorado/

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Colorado
Published April 27, 2015
FoxNews.com
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Insanity defense in Holmes trial puts burden on prosecutors
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More than 1,000 days after James Holmes opened fire in a Colorado movie theater, killing a dozen and wounding 70, the onetime University of Colorado neuroscience student’s murder trial was set to get underway Monday.

Holmes, 27, who could face the death penalty if convicted, does not dispute carrying of the shootings at the midnight screening of the Batman film, “The Dark Knight Rises,” but has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. His taxpayer-funded attorneys are expected to lay the groundwork for the insanity defense in opening arguments today in Arapahoe County court, while prosecutors will seek to paint Holmes as a killer who knew what he was doing.

Neither District Attorney George Brauchler nor lead defense attorney Daniel King and attorney Katherine Spengler will have an easy task.


Offline truth_seeker

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I have argued before the need to break the trial into two phases.

1. Basic facts, for guilt or innocence. Did the accused commit the CRIME?

2. Factors and mitigation. Was the person insane? An insanity finding would argue against the death penalty, but in favor of life with no chance to get out, ever, ever.

For the guy that shot Reagan, the idea he gets out is stunning. The idea of temporary insanity is stunning, to me.

The idea a person is insane, to escape death, but then sane to get out of prison, indicates it is our justice system which is insane.
"God must love the common man, he made so many of them.�  Abe Lincoln