Statement of Denise Maes, Policy Director, ACLU of Colorado on Aurora Theater Shooting Sentencing Verdict

August 7, 2015
“Today’s verdict in the Aurora Theater shooting trial means that James Holmes will spend the rest of his life behind bars. It is the appropriate and harsh punishment for his crimes.
“The jury recognized that executing someone with severe mental illness is morally and legally indefensible. It is fortunate that Colorado will not be in the terrible position of having to do so. Furthermore, this verdict means the victims and their family members will be spared from years of appeals and from having to relive the details of that night over and over.
“This verdict shows that Colorado, like the rest of the country, is moving away from the death penalty. It is deeply unfortunate that our taxpayer dollars had to pay for one of the most expensive trials in the state’s history only to achieve the same outcome offered by the defense before the trial even began. The death penalty is a costly, broken policy and this trial is proof of that. We are hopeful that lessons learned from this process will lead Coloradans to rethink this outdated and deeply flawed policy.”