Colorado theater shooter’s trial will begin in January, judge orders
There will be no more postponements, the judged ruled, despite a plea from attorneys representing James E. Holmes.
The trial of James E. Holmes, who is accused of killing 12 people when he opened fire in a Colorado movie theater in 2012, is to begin next month: No more postponements, a judge ruled Wednesday.
Judge Carlos Samour said in his order that the trial will start with jury selection Jan. 20.
It is a death penalty case.
Holmes pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to numerous counts of murder, attempted murder and other charges in the shooting at a packed movie theater in Aurora during a midnight showing of “The Dark Knight Rises” on July 20, 2012.
“To delay this trial unnecessarily or improperly solely on the basis that it is a death penalty case could only promote the cynical view -- sadly held by many -- that the justice system is broken,” Samour wrote in his order.
The trial has been postponed five times, mostly for sanity evaluations to be conducted and studied.
Defense attorneys continued to argue that they needed more time to review evidence, but Samour said ample time has been granted.
“Because the court has absolutely no doubt that defense counsel can be ready to proceed to trial on Jan. 20, the motion fails,” Samour wrote.
Follow Ryan Parker for breaking news at @theryanparker and on Facebook.
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