Accused Colorado movie theater gunman charged with multiple counts of murder

[Cognizant]

Prosecutors on Monday charged James Holmes with two dozen counts of first-degree murder and more than 100 other violent offenses related to the recent deadly rampage at a Colorado movie theater.

Holmes, who appeared in court with the same cartoonish orange-red hair he had at the time of the shooting, said only one word during Monday's hearing.
"Yes," he answered when asked by the judge if he agreed to waive his right to a preliminary hearing in the next 35 days.

Police say Holmes, 24, blasted his way through a packed movie house during a premiere showing of Batman "The Dark Knight Rises" in Aurora.

Twelve victims died in the attack, 58 others were wounded. The melee is among the worst mass shootings in modern-day American history. Prosecutors filed a total of 142 criminal charges against him, including 116 counts of attempted murder. The 24 murder charges reflect dual charges (premeditated and without remorse) by the prosecutors.

During Monday's hearing, Judge William Sylvester carefully explained to Holmes that the charges carry a minimum sentence of life in prison and a maximum of death. The district attorney near Denver has not announced if she will seek the death penalty against the alleged gunman.

Holmes was clad in tactical gear and possessed four guns and a stockpile of ammo when he surrendered to officers behind the cinema shortly after the July 20 shooting spree. He did not resist arrest, but investigators have since described the former neuroscience doctoral student as uncooperative.

Source: Yahoo News. (link (http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/formal-charges-expected-today-suspected-colorado-movie-theater-101958196.html))

What's your thoughts on this?

[LouBerry]

Well, I feel so sorry for the families and the surviving victims. It was such a horrific thing. But I feel pretty sorry for the shooter too, I mean he was obviously very smart and he had his whole life ahead of him. I just wonder what had to have happened to him to make him that angry. It's just a sad situation.

[PinkFloyd]

Well I am very sorry for the families of the deciesed and the wounded. I don't think he should get the death penalty because locking him up for the rest of his life would do the same effect. I know what your thinking: Well if you were the family member of one of these people you would probobly want the death sentance for holms. Untrue. i would be angry enough to do it my self; In fact if he wasn't going to jail, I would actually shoot him several times if i had the oppratunity. but law officials shouldn't kill people unless they know for sure that said person is a large enough security risk even in the maximum security prison. My simple reason is the fact that it's barbaric and unnessasary. I hope that made sence...

[LouBerry]

I don't agree with murder. Whether it's war, or the death penalty, or someone shooting someone else. So, I'm going to prison.

[Guillermo]

I'd just like to know why he did it. He's obviously regretting that he did do it. He's not saying much in the trial. He could have had a whole life ahead of him with getting out of college and all but now that's all gone down the drain. So, from what I'm getting from this article is that there's no chance that he can plea insanity because he's already either going to prison or getting the death sentence? Or could he?

[Christheman]

he deserves to rot in jail. he's an psychoatic asshole who killed many and took away many's sense of security

[Noirtier]

My only question is why? He was incredibly intelligent, successful, and had his whole life ahead of him. The fact that he waived his right to a preliminary hearing tells me that he knows he is going to jail for the rest of his life, and that he himself isn't trying to prevent that. He deserves all the charges against him, and I am sorry for all the families and friends of the victims, but one has to wonder, what has to snap in a person of that intelligence and level of success to do something like this?

[UnknownError]

The woman who was pregnant and lost her daughter also lost her unborn kid in a miscarriage. :/

It's really sad for everyone involved.

[Magenta]

My only question is why? He was incredibly intelligent, successful, and had his whole life ahead of him. The fact that he waived his right to a preliminary hearing tells me that he knows he is going to jail for the rest of his life, and that he himself isn't trying to prevent that. He deserves all the charges against him, and I am sorry for all the families and friends of the victims, but one has to wonder, what has to snap in a person of that intelligence and level of success to do something like this?

As far as I've seen on the news, he was psychiatrically ill. He was seeing a psychiatrist and had a journal that she says explained exactly why he did what he did. Last I heard they were trying to get it as evidence but couldn't due to doctor/patient confidentiality.

I'm not saying I feel sorry for him (because I don't) but he was obviously very sick in whatever way and it's a pity that even though he was getting help, it obviously was not working enough to prevent this. Who knows why he did it? He'll be locked up for the rest of his life and won't be able to hurt anyone again.

[HUSTLEMAN]

He deserves life because he just might get killed by the inmates.