James Holmes

Colorado theater shooter held alone in prison cell

Department of Corrections spokeswoman Adrienne Jacobson says Holmes is not in maximum security but has fewer privileges and is monitored more closely than other inmates. He will stay at the Colorado State Penitentiary until officials find a suitable facility for him.

A judge last month sentenced Holmes to life in prison without parole after jurors failed to agree he deserved the death penalty. He was convicted of murdering 12 people and trying to kill 70 more in the July 20, 2012 massacre at a crowded movie theater.

Theater shooter received supportive letters, money in jail

Prosecutors this week released 200 pages worth of mail sent to Holmes, mostly by women offering sympathy and sharing their own struggles with mental illness and the legal system. 

The letters were among hundreds of documents prosecutors provided in response to open-records requests made after Holmes' trial, which ended Aug. 26, when a judge sentenced him to life in prison without parole for murdering 12 people and trying to kill 70 more in the July 2012 massacre.

Colorado theater shooter being assessed for prison

Department of Corrections spokeswoman Adrienne Jacobson says Holmes, like all inmates, will spend 30 to 60 days at the facility before being assigned to prison. 

Holmes could also be transferred out of state. Officials will determine where Holmes will be incarcerated after an evaluation that includes his mental health.

Judge gives Holmes the maximum, orders him away

Judge Carlos A. Samour Jr. then told a bailiff to "get the defendant out of my courtroom, please," as he gaveled to a close the arduous three-year wait to see the shooter put away.

Breaking: Colorado theater shooter gets life in prison

The nine women and three men said they could not reach a unanimous verdict on each of the 24 murder counts. That automatically eliminates the death penalty for failed neuroscientist, who blamed his calculated murders of 12 people on mental illness.

Jury reaches decision on James Holmes' sentence

They deliberated for about six and a half hours before reaching a decision Friday. It will be announced at 5 p.m.

Prosecutors launch last push for theater shooter's execution

It comes after jurors rejected arguments Monday that the former neuroscience student's mental illness should remove the death penalty as an option. They deliberated for less than three hours.

"The case for death is only going to get stronger from this point forward," said Denver attorney and former prosecutor Craig Silverman. "This jury is not going to want to disappoint the families of these victims. ... I'd be very surprised if the verdict was anything other than death."

Holmes jury keeps execution as option as sentencing advances

The decision clears the way for a last plea from both sides, including what is expected to be gripping and emotional testimony from victims about the harm and suffering Holmes caused with his slaughter.

After those arguments, the jury will make its final decision on whether the 27-year-old should die by lethal injection or spend the rest of his life in prison.

Holmes jury decides whether to keep execution as an option

The jury deliberated for less than three hours, starting Thursday after Holmes' parents made an emotional plea to spare their son's life because he is mentally ill. A court spokesman said the decision will be announced at 12:30 p.m. MDT.

Mental illness led to Colorado theater shooting, doctor says

But the  psychiatrist said Holme's mental illness led him to open fire.

Dr. Jeffrey Metzner's finding has not changed: He concluded that Holmes knew right from wrong when he killed 12 people and injured 70 others, therefore meeting the legal definition of sanity under Colorado law. But Metzner also says the attack would not have happened if not for Holmes' mental illness. 

The defense hopes that will persuade jurors to sentence Holmes to life in prison without parole instead of to death.