Mystery surrounds dramatic trial of Aurora, Colo. movie theater shooting today

Mystery surrounds dramatic trial of Aurora, Colo. movie theater shooting today

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for James Holmes and are likely to call lots of witnesses who responded to the scene of the horrific attack.

It’s been nearly three years since James Holmes was arrested for allegedly shooting and killing 12 people in a Denver-area movie theater, and the trial finally begins today under a shroud of mystery.

Prosecutors are expected to lay out their case against Holmes today, who is accused of injuring 70 others in a deadly incident during a midnight showing of The Dark Knight Returns and has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, according to a USA Today report.

Prosecutors will be tasked with proving that Holmes planned the shooting weeks or perhaps months in advance by buying up ammunition, practicing his marksmanship, and constructing explosives, while the defense will have to prove to a jury that he was in the midst of a psychotic episode during the shooting.

The case has been under a gag order ever since Holmes has been under arrest, making the expected approach — including evidence and arguments — by both teams relatively unknown. Holmes faces possible execution if convicted.

The trial could last as long as four months, with hundreds of witnesses set to testify, including law enforcement, paramedics, and federal agents. Holmes faces 150 charges, including one count of murder with deliberation and one count of murder with extreme indifference for each person who was killed.

Holmes’ mental health is likely to take center stage in the trial, with the defense attempting to get him off the hook by pleading insanity and prosecutors attempting to prove that he had been planting the shooting for a long time.

The July 20, 2012 shooting happened at Aurora, Colo.’s Century 16 theater complex, when he opened fire after bringing an assault rifle, shotgun, and two semiautomatic pistols as well as 6,00 rounds of ammunition and material for bombs.

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