Prosecutor Says 'Batman' Shooter Tried To Murder 400 Moviegoers To Feel Better About Himself

The anticipated trial of James Eagan Holmes, accused of murdering 12 people and severely injuring more than 70 people back in 2012 has finally gone under way. Both camps have released their statements and defenses.

Daily Star UK reports that the trial of “Batman” shooter has already started. Holmes is faced with several counts of murder and attempted murder. The grisly crimes were carried out on a supposedly fun July evening, inside a theater containing 400 people simply out to enjoy the “Batman: The Dark Knight Rises” movie.

According to Prosecutor George Brauchler, the plan to murder had been with Holmes, 27 “his whole life.” He said the defendant played around with the idea and the execution of the idea for two and half months “in his mind.” The prosecutor added that Holmes’ main reason for the crimes is to make himself feel better of himself and increase his self-worth.

Holmes’ camp however, denies murder by using the reason of insanity. A juror would now then decide if Holmes is a calculated murderer or an insane person.

Ironically, even though the case against him said he lacked the capacity to command his own mind, Holmes as already a doctoral student in neuroscience when he committed the gruesome act. He was specifically studying how the brain functions and his education was being funded by the U.S. government through a grant.

The “Batman” shooter may end up in the death row if the jury deems it his fate. The panel is comprised of 12 jurors and 12 alternatives. Among them, 19 are women. The trial is expected to last until autumn.

According to District Attorney George Brauchler, the approaching trial can last as long as four to five months and the whole duration can be described as a “horrible roller coaster through the worst haunted house” one can imagine. The jury will also have to decide on a total of 165 charges filed against Holmes, ranging from attempted murder to murder charges.

In other news, the survivors of the gruesome crime as well as their relatives have challenged all media outfits "to stop the gratuitous use of the name and likeness of mass killers, thereby depriving violent individuals the media celebrity and media spotlight they so crave," the No Notoriety group says. Survivors of other mass shootings that took place in the U.S. have joined in on their rallying efforts.

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