Accused killer James Holmes appeared in a Colorado court on Mar. 12, to enter a plea in his pending trial for 166 counts of murder and manslaughter, in the movie shooting massacre. Holmes stands accused of killing 12 and wounding dozens of others after opening fire with an assault rifle during a midnight showing at a local movie theater in a Denver suburb, on July 20, 2012.
According to NBC News, "Holmes defense attorneys stated that Holmes was not ready to enter a plea at the time." The presiding Judge entered a plea of "not guilty" on Holmes' behalf. The judge stated that the plea may be changed at the discretion of Holmes and his defense team. Leaving an opening for Holmes' defense team to modify the plea to "not guilty by reason of insanity."
The insanity defense would require Holmes' legal team to prove that Holmes did not know right from wrong when he committed the crimes. As a matter of public record, Prosecutors said Holmes planned the massacre well in advance, ordering arms and ammunition through the internet. Police also found explosives in his apartment that had reportedly been rigged to go off when authorities entered.
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