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Blue_Tires

(57,596 posts) Wed Mar 27, 2013, 06:06 PM Mar 2013

James Holmes offers guilty plea to avoid death penalty [View all]

Source: USA Today

Attorneys for Denver-area theater shooting suspect James Holmes have offered to have him plead guilty and be jailed for life to avoid the death penalty, KUSA-TV is reporting.

The prosecution has not yet responded to the offer, which came in a court filing Wednesday.

"Mr. Holmes is currently willing to resolve the case to bring the proceedings to a speedy and definite conclusion," the filing reads.

The defense team said the case could end Monday if the Arapahoe County district attorney accepts the deal. Prosecutors planned to announce Monday whether they would seek the death penalty.

Holmes, 25, is charged with first-degree murder for the July 20 rampage that killed 12 moviegoers and wounded nearly 60 others at the premiere of the latest Batman film at a multiplex in Aurora.

On March 12, a judge entered a not guilty plea on Holmes' behalf but said Holmes could enter a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity later.

Trial is set for Aug. 5.

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/03/27/colorado-theater-killings-guilty-plea-offer/2025809/

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James Holmes offers guilty plea to avoid death penalty [View all] Blue_Tires Mar 2013 OP

Would this avoid a full trial? I'm not familiar with Colorado law. slackmaster Mar 2013 #1

It's up to the prosecution to accept, or they can reject and go for the DP Blue_Tires Mar 2013 #3

So he was willing to inflict death but doesn't want to receive it? SharonAnn Mar 2013 #2

No deal. Give him a fair trial then kill him. Peter cotton Mar 2013 #4

It's better for the relatives of the victims, and better for the taxpayers if he just pleads xtraxritical Mar 2013 #21

this seemed to me the inevitable outcome arely staircase Mar 2013 #5

well even before being arraigned Homes tried to "settle" for life with no parole Blue_Tires Mar 2013 #7

i can understand them not jumping at this notorious person's first offer arely staircase Mar 2013 #9

Is he even lucid at this point? /nt Ash_F Mar 2013 #6

Is there any reason to think that he is not lucid? HereSince1628 Mar 2013 #8

Well, for one thing a judge plead not guilty for him on his behalf. Ash_F Mar 2013 #10

Why assume I'm a smart ass? You do yourself a disservice HereSince1628 Mar 2013 #12

Then I guess you just didn't read the article before posting. Ash_F Mar 2013 #13

On one hand I am against the death penalty. alp227 Mar 2013 #11

Prosecutors should accept this plea offer. Comrade Grumpy Mar 2013 #14

It also keeps the relatives of the victims from reliving the horror and xtraxritical Mar 2013 #22

Colorado is practically a death penality abolitionist state. joshcryer Mar 2013 #23

I am against the death penalty iandhr Mar 2013 #15

The fucking coward. Third Doctor Mar 2013 #16

Take the Plea. It's Pretty Well Known it Costs More to Give Someone the DP than Life w/o Parole dballance Mar 2013 #17

In the case of Nathan Dunlap, the entire process was reviewed, Tender to the Bone Mar 2013 #18

He's obviously mentally ill struggle4progress Mar 2013 #19

obvious to everyone. But even many liberals have thrown away rational behavioral science for Douglas Carpenter Mar 2013 #24

Take the deal. Seeking Serenity Mar 2013 #20

It's either take the deal or be found NGRI, most likely Samurai_Writer Mar 2013 #25

Why would he be found NGRI? LisaL Mar 2013 #26

Mentally ill might not 'equal' legally insane Samurai_Writer Mar 2013 #27

I have no idea as to what makes you think he didn't know right from wrong. LisaL Mar 2013 #28

Planning doesn't equal knowing right from wrong Samurai_Writer Mar 2013 #29

While I don't believe for one second he is legally insane. LisaL Mar 2013 #30

Even if found NGRI, he would never get out Samurai_Writer Mar 2013 #31

I've seen it happen one too many times to believe that. LisaL Mar 2013 #32

Can you cite even one case? Ash_F Mar 2013 #36

I'm pretty sure they could get an easy conviction without the deal Blue_Tires Mar 2013 #35

One condition: He submits to psychiatrists for study. Festivito Mar 2013 #33

Brilliant idea - it might help us figure how why Justice Mar 2013 #38

He doesn't want to die fine. Kalidurga Mar 2013 #34

Not killing him is a mistake. Lack of consequences will just encourage others to do the same thing bubbayugga Mar 2013 #37

The death penalty would be too good for this guy. Arkana Mar 2013 #39

I understand and sympathize that the victims want a trial for the purpose of justice.... Tommy_Carcetti Mar 2013 #40