James Holmes to Plead Insane

Attorneys say he'll change to not guilty by reason of insanity
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted May 7, 2013 4:51 PM CDT
James Holmes to Plead Insane
In this March 12 photo, James Holmes and defense attorney Tamara Brady appear in district court in Centennial, Colo.   (AP Photo/The Denver Post, RJ Sangosti, Pool, File)

In a not-so-surprising development, accused Aurora shooter James Holmes plans to use the insanity defense. His attorneys filed papers today saying their client intends to plead not guilty by reason of insanity at a hearing next week, reports the Denver Post. If the judge goes along, doctors at a state mental hospital will determine whether Holmes was insane at the time of the July rampage that left 12 dead and 70 injured in a movie theater, reports AP. Even if they do, Holmes could still be found guilty by a jury, it adds. The 25-year-old had been seeing a psychiatrist before the shooting. (More James Holmes stories.)

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