Holmes sent the notebook to his former psychiatrist before going on a shooting rampage that left 12 people dead. Attorneys have debated what its contents show about Holmes’ sanity.
James Holmes is seated during his trial in Arapahoe County District Court in Centennial, Colorado in this still image captured from a pool video footage April 27, 2015.
POOL / Reuters
Unintelligible equations of morality joined methodical plans of mass murder in the journal James Holmes mailed to his former psychiatrist and addressed to his family.
As the trial of Holmes — charged with 12 counts of murder and 70 counts of attempted murder — entered its second month, court officials in Arapahoe County, Colorado, on Wednesday released images of the journal's contents for the first time. The writings had been under seal since the 2012 shooting at the Century 21 movie theater in Aurora, though attorneys referred to its contents during opening statements.
Holmes has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, his attorneys contending the attack took place amid a severe psychotic episode. The journal shows his obsession to kill, his unsuccessful attempts to seek help, and his reality — distorted by schizophrenia — in which he did not see his actions as wrong, defense attorneys have said.
Prosecutors describe the journal as evidence of an intelligent young man pursuing horrific crimes. The writings do not indicate that Holmes was insane at the time, prosecutors argue, and so he deserves the death penalty.
Colorado Judicial Department
SOURCE: BuzzFeed
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