Convicted mass killer James Holmes has moved one step closer to the death penalty after jurors rejected a defence appeal for leniency.The same jury found Holmes guilty of killing 12 people and wounding 70 others at a cinema in Aurora, Colorado.Holmes' mitigating factors, including mental illness, do not outweigh the crime, the jury determined on Monday.Now the proceedings move to the third and final phase of the sentencing where victims will make impact statements.Victims and their relatives will soon have the opportunity to tell the court about how Holmes' crimes have affected their lives.During the second phase, Holmes' family and childhood friends shared memories of him as a loving child who became more isolated as he grew up.Jansen Young, who saw her boyfriend Jonathan Blunk killed in the cinema, could testify during the third sentencing phaseBoth Holmes' parents took the stand during sentencing to plead for his life."I didn't realize that his loudest cry for help was his silence," Arlene Holmes, James' mother, told court prosecutors.During his trial, defence lawyers argued, unsuccessfully for Holmes to be found not guilty by reason of insanity.But instead the jury of nine women and three men convicted him on all 165 counts of murder, attempted murder, and possession of explosives.The jury will next determine in the coming days whether the 27-year-old should be executed by lethal injection.
Why is it we aren't allowed to turture people like this, break their minds and then make them into drones for society.
Quote from: Majestic Star Dragon on August 04, 2015, 05:34:31 AMWhy is it we aren't allowed to turture people like this, break their minds and then make them into drones for society.Since this is Serious, let's get specific. Because I'm fucking tired of people who advocate this bullshit and don't think it all the way through. How would it be done? By who? You? Volunteers? Who would these volunteers be but lunatics just as bad as the one being punished by the state? Or maybe a professional hired by the state? Do you seriously want somebody like that given the green light by the state at their discretion? Why would you want the state to have the power to torture prisoners for having committed crimes? Which crimes deserve torture? How does this bring back the people he killed or make any of this ok?Try thinking a little before you say something so mind numbingly stupid and then be thankful you live in a country where prisoners aren't tortured for fun.
He's quite clearly sane, as was demonstrated with how meticulously he orchestrated the attack.Saying that, I hope they give him life. The barbarity of the death penalty has no place in contemporary society anymore.
I think they should lock him away for the rest of his life.
Quote from: challengerX on August 04, 2015, 04:22:12 AMI think they should lock him away for the rest of his life.No death penalty? Come on now.
He's quite clearly sane, as was demonstrated with how meticulously he orchestrated the attack.
James Holmes/Cinema Shooter closer to a verdict
