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Colorado prosecutors have rejected an offer by James E. Holmes to plead guilty to committing the Aurora theater shooting in exchange for avoiding the death penalty. (RJ Sangosti / Associated Press / March 11, 2013) |
DENVER — Prosecutors said Thursday they are not ready to accept an offer from Colorado theater shooting suspect James E. Holmes to plead guilty in exchange for avoiding the death penalty.
In a court filing, prosecutors criticized defense attorneys for publicizing Holmes’ offer to plead guilty, calling it a ploy meant to draw the public and the judge into what should be private plea negotiations.
They say the defense has “steadfastly and repeatedly” refused to provide key details they need to consider a plea.
No agreement exists, and one “is extremely unlikely based on the present information available to the prosecution.”
Legal experts say the case pivots on whether Holmes was legally insane when he opened fire in a packed theater in Aurora, killing 12 people.
Holmes’ attorneys disclosed in a court filing Wednesday that their client has offered to plead guilty to killing 12 people at a midnight screening of the latest Batman movie, but only if he wouldn't be executed.
Prosecutors say defense attorneys are trying to pull the judge into a possible plea agreement, and they criticized comments to the media, including the Associated Press, from Doug Wilson, who heads the state public defenders' office.
Wilson didn't immediately return a call Thursday.
George Brauchler, the current Arapahoe County district attorney, is scheduled to announce Monday whether he will seek the death penalty for Holmes. Brauchler hasn't publicly revealed his plans. He has refused repeatedly to comment on the case, citing a gag order and his spokesman didn't immediately return a call Thursday evening.
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