James Holmes’ Trial Evidence Includes Online Dating Profiles
Evidence in the trial against James Holmes will include the accused Aurora Theater shooter’s online dating profiles, which were put up on Match.com and AdultFriendFinder.com before the deadly rampage.
In both profiles, Holmes used the phrase, “Will you visit me in prison?” as part of his description. Holmes is accused of wearing body armor and a mask and using several weapons to carry out the attack during a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises on July 20, 2012.
Twelve people were killed in the attack and 70 more were injured. ABC News reports that prosecutors argued for months to have the judge allow Holmes’ dating profiles in trial to show that the alleged shooter knew that he was planning to commit a crime.
They hope the profiles can disprove Holmes’ plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. Holmes’ attorneys didn’t want the profiles included. David Beller, a Denver criminal defense attorney who isn’t involved in the case, explained that the profiles are “damaging to the defense and helpful to the prosecution” because they could show that Holmes understood that he knew he could go to prison.
While James Holmes’ online dating profiles are admissible in court, Arapahoe County District Court Judge Carlos Samour ruled that prosecutors can’t introduce statements Holmes made to detectives in the hours after the deadly rampage happened. Reuters notes that Holmes made the statements after he requested a lawyer.
Still, the statements could still be used to cross-examine witnesses who provide contradictory information, because Holmes spoke voluntarily with Detectives Chuck Mehl and Craig Appel. Some statements Holmes made that night are still admissible, including when the alleged shooter told police he acted alone, had four firearms, and booby-trapped his apartment.
Prosecutors in the James Holmes case are seeking the death penalty. The trial is expected to start in February and will last for a bout three months. Beller added that the prosecution and defense could still reach a plea bargain before the trial ends.
