Aurora theater shooter showed 'no signs' of planning to kill people

James Holmes, who killed 12 and injured 70 others during a July 2012 screening of The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, Colorado, showed "no signs" in the preceding months of planning to kill anyone, according to the testimony of his psychiatrist at the time, Dr. Lynne Fenton.

The testimony of Fenton, who was speaking publicly about Holmes' case for the first time, has been highly anticipated, after Holmes pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

In her testimony, Fenton confirmed that Holmes had indeed entertained thoughts about killing others, calling it a remedy to his "biological disorder," but when pressed by prosecutors said he had no plan to conduct a mass shooting.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up

Holmes met with Fenton five times in 2012, and he was treated for depression and anxiety. Although she had suggested prescribing an anti-psychotic, Holmes declined because it made him sleepy.