Life of theater shooter in hands of jury

The life of James Holmes is now in the hands of a jury.

Twelve jurors will begin deliberations Wednesday after hearing closing arguments from prosecutors and the defense Tuesday.

Jurors will decide whether Holmes was legally insane at the time of the July 2012 Aurora theater shooting. Holmes has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to killing 12 people and injuring 70 others during a midnight movie premiere.

In closing arguments, Arapahoe County District Attorney George Brauchler tried to undermine key defense witnesses, including two psychiatrists who testified that Holmes was legally insane in July 2012. Brauchler reminded jurors of the prosecution’s psychiatrists who were court-appointed and who found Holmes was legally sane.

But defense attorney Daniel King fired back saying Holmes would not have committed the crimes if it hadn’t been for his mental illness, specifically schizophrenia.

If jurors agree that Holmes was legally insane at the time of the shooting, he’ll be committed indefinitely to a state mental hospital.

If Holmes is convicted, the trial will enter a sentencing phase in which the jury must decide between life in prison or the death penalty.