The parents of a man facing the death penalty for a 2012 mass shooting in an Aurora, Colorado, movie theater pleaded for his life in a letter to a local newspaper, their first public comment since the incident.
“We believe that the death penalty is morally wrong, especially when the condemned is mentally ill,” said Robert and Arlene Holmes, parents of shooter James Holmes, in a letter published in the Denver Post on Friday.
Holmes is charged with killing 12 people and injuring 70 more when he opened fire in a crowded movie theater.
He has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. His parents said he is a man “gripped by severe mental illness”, and that he shouldn’t be executed.
“We realize treatment in an institution would be best for our son,” his parents’ letter said. “We love our son, we have always loved him, and we do not want him to be executed.”
His parents said they believe the best outcome possible would be for the defense and prosecution to reach an agreement of life in prison without parole, and to place Holmes in a mental health treatment institution.
Jury selection begins in January, and the trial isn’t likely to start before May or June
according to the Denver Post.
The parents’ letter said such an agreement would spare victims the need to re-live the events of the shooting again.
“We have spent every moment for more than two years thinking about those who were injured, and the families and friends of the deceased who were killed,” the parents said.
“We are always praying for everyone in Aurora,” the parents said. “We wish that July 20, 2012, never happened.”