James Holmes Offers to Enter Guilty Plea

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James Holmes, the suspect in the Aurora, Colorado shooting spree, has offered to plead guilty to avoid the death penalty. He would spend the remainder of his life in prison, according to court documents filed this week. The offer has not been accepted by the prosecutors working on the case.

“Prior to arraignment, Mr. Holmes made an offer to the prosecution to resolve this case by pleading guilty and spending the rest of his life in prison, without any opportunity for parole,” the documents read, according to CNN.

  

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“If the prosecution elects not to pursue the death penalty, then it is Mr. Holmes’ position that this case could be resolved on April 1.”

A standard plea of not guilty was entered by Holmes by a judge earlier this month. He is accused of killing 12 people and injuring 58 more on July 20, 2012 at a movie theater in Colorado. In the court documents filed this week, Holmes’ attorneys said that they are still looking into a mental health defense, “and counsel will vigorously present and argue any and all appropriate defenses at a trial or sentencing proceeding, as necessary.”

“Nevertheless, Mr. Holmes is currently willing to resolve the case to bring the proceedings to a speedy and definite conclusion for all involved,” they said.

Holmes has been charged with 166 counts of murder, attempted murder and other charges. According to investigators, Holmes had planned the attack for months and began purchasing guns in May of 2012. His arsenal included two Glock handguns, a shotgun, an AR-15 rifle and 6,295 rounds of ammunition.

“This is not a ‘whodunit.’ Everybody knows that James Holmes committed these horrible murders. The question is what punishment he will get,” said CNN senior legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin.

“If they (defense attorneys) can get life in prison, they will consider this a victory.”

The trial date is set for August 5 for Holmes.