Author: Marianne S. Rantala P.C.
“New York Criminal Defense Attorney”
By now you’ve heard about the tragic shooting during the showing of Batman in Aurora,Colorado. I offer my sincere condolences to all the victims and their families.
According to media sources over the past two days, Holmes is now facing 142 criminal counts. Prosecutors have charged him with two murder charges for each of the 12 people killed; one for premeditated murder and one for evidencing “an attitude of universal malice manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life generally.” Holmes is also charged with 116 counts of attempted murder for the surviving victims, as well as a charge related to the booby-trapping of his apartment.
So what could possibly be his defense? Many sources indicate that Holmes’ only defense is that of insanity. Firstly, psychiatrists could potentially find that Holmes is incompetent to stand trial because he doesn’t understand the charges against him and cannot assist his lawyers in his own defense. Holmes could then end up in a psychiatric facility for treatment to attempt reviving competency, like Jared Loughner, accused in the 2011 Tucson, Arizona killing of six people and wounding of numerous others. If that status doesn’t apply, then he could plead not guilty by reason of insanity. That is a very difficult defense, Read More
Clearly, few individuals end up charged with such horrific crimes. But every person is entitled to the representation guaranteed by the United States Constitution. A skilled criminal defense attorney is essential in this representation.