Accused theater shooter’s parents reach out to Pueblo man

The parents of accused Aurora theater shooter, James Holmes, released a statement Friday asking for their son not to be executed.

“We believe that the death penalty is morally wrong, especially when the condemned is mentally ill,” wrote Robert and Arlene Holmes.

The letter marks the first public communication the family has issued since the July 20, 2012 shooting when 12 people were killed inside an Aurora theater. James Holmes plead not guilty by reason of insanity.

James Holmes’ parents have not done interviews, but a Pueblo man, all too familiar with the death penalty, said Arlene Holmes contacted him.

Autobee said he spoke with Arlene Holmes over the phone a few months ago after she sent him a letter.

“I received a letter from James Holmes’ mother and she thanked me for fighting [against] the death penalty,” Autobee said. “And so she said that she drew strength from that. And as any parent would, you fight for the life of your child with all you got.”

If there’s anyone who’s wrestled with their views on the death penalty, it’s Autobee. His son, Eric, was working as a prison guard at Limon Correctional Facility in 2002 when he was killed by inmate Edward Montour.

For many years, Autobee wanted Montour to be executed. Then, a few years ago, he had a change of heart.

“We’re not worthy as human beings. We’re not worthy to take other people’s lives. But our government seems to think that they are,” Autobee said.

A few months ago, Holmes’ mom called Autobee to thank him for taking a firm stance against it.

Autobee said, “I could feel her pain. If I knew my son was facing death, I would be almost unbearable. We just supported each other and I told her if you need me, I’ll be there.”

When Holmes returns to court next year for the start of his trial, Autobee told Arlene Holmes he would be there with her. But like James Holmes’ parents, Autobee believes the families involved should be spared from a trial.

Autobee said justice would be better served by keeping James Holmes locked up and receiving mental treatment.

This is the letter from Holmes’ parents:

We are Robert and Arlene Holmes and our son is James Holmes. We have spent every moment for more than two years thinking about those who were injured, and the families and friends of the deceased who were killed in the theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado. We are always praying for everyone in Aurora. We wish that July 20, 2012 never happened.

Our son pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the charges associated with these shootings.

Defense attorneys for our son first stated in open court in May 2013 that James was diagnosed in Colorado with a serious mental illness. Prior to July 20, 2012, he never harmed anyone and he had no criminal history. We understand that if our son is found not guilty by reason of insanity, he could go to an institution that provides treatment for the mentally ill for the remainder of his life. This result would prevent any future harm to him and others.

We realize treatment in an institution would be best for our son. We love our son, we have always loved him and we do not want him to be executed. We also decry the need for a trial. A lengthy trial requires everyone to relive those horrible moments in time, causing additional trauma. In the criminal justice system, the prosecution and defense can agree to a sentence of life in prison, without parole, in exchange for a guilty plea. If that happened, our son would be in prison the rest of his life, but no one would have to relive those horrible events at a trial the media has permission to televise.

We do not know how many victims of the theater shooting would like to see our son killed. But we are aware of people’s sentiments. We have read postings on the Internet that have likened him to a monster. He is not a monster. He is a human being gripped by a severe mental illness.

We believe that the death penalty is morally wrong, especially when the condemned is mentally ill.

We are not alone in our sentiments. The Murder Victims’ Families for Human Rights (MVFHR), an international organization of family members of murder victims and family members of the executed, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) formed the “Prevention, Not Execution Project” aimed at ending the death penalty for people with severe mental illness.

Our family has not given interviews to the media because we do not want coverage of ourselves. We mourn the deaths and the serious injuries and emotional trauma of the others who were in the theater. The focus should be on the injured and their healing.