James Holmes: Online Ammo Purchased Weeks Before Aurora Shooting
James Holmes bought online ammo just weeks before the Aurora shooting. Unsealed documents reveal that FexEx recorded a delivery from BulkAmmo.com,to Holmes’ residence on June 28, 2012. Holmes is accused of a mass shooting on July 20 inside an Aurora, Colorado movie theater.
The 25-year-old man allegedly burst into a crowded theater, wearing “combat gear.” He released a canister of tear gas into the packed theater and opened fire. Within minutes, more than 70 people were injured and 12 were dead.
As reported by LA Times, Holmes surrendered himself to police upon their arrival. Authorities report finding ammunition, weapons, and spent shells around the building and in Holmes’ vehicle.
The criminal trial has experienced numerous delays, the latest related the to the question of Holmes’ sanity. Prosecutors argue that evidence, including Holmes’ buying online ammo, proves that the attack was carefully planned and executed.
As reported by The New York Times, Holmes and his lawyers appeared in court again today. The judge initially entered a not-guilty plea on Holmes’ behalf. However, he and his attorneys have requested that the plea be changed to not-guilty, by reason of insanity.
If the insanity plea is accepted by the judge, it will require specific mental health evaluations, which were the topic of today’s hearing.
The prosecution is confident in their case, as they have collected over 40,000 pages of evidence, including Holmes’ online ammo purchase. They also report locating over 3,000 potential witnesses.
The trial is expected to last well into next year, as the actual trial is not scheduled to begin until February 2014. While Holmes’ reported actions may seem literally insane, proving that in a court of law is not easy.
As reported by State.CO.US, to plead insanity, in the state of Colorado, the defendant must lack knowledge of the difference between right and wrong. Additionally, they must lack a “culpable mental state.”
Prosecutors argue that Holmes displayed a culpable mental state, as the massacre was planned for at least several weeks. Evidence of Holmes’ online ammo purchase may help the prosecution make that point.
