Should James Holmes have been given the death penalty?

[sherryinutah]

We know that James Holmes was the shooter at the movie theatre in Aurora, Colorado and we know he has mental health issues.  We also know that people died because of his actions.

Should he be on death row?

[Penwoir]

That's a good question. But there are many times someone escapes the death penalty for reasons we don't always agree with. I remember when Jodie Arias got life in prison for murdering her boyfriend. In my mind, she murdered him 3 times. She shot him in the head, she slit his throat and then stabbed him 29 times. I think she deserved the death penalty but the jurors felt she had some mitigating circumstances which supported the fact that she should be given a break. I felt she should be put on death row.

[plennis]

I feel he should be on death row.  I am always astonished the number of people who get out after a while because they had  mental problems.  The people they killed don't get any reprieve nor do their families.   If he had a mental problem,who is to now that it will never return.
     

[countrygirl12]

He should already be dead.  He is NOT "mentally ill" and calling him so is a slap in the face to people who actually are mentally re-tard-ed.  And NO that is not a bad word.  I don't give a flip about political correctness.  It is what it is.  These days people can do anything and get away with it and claim to be "mentally ill".  Then are coddled the rest of their lives.  This howdy doodie freak shot over 80 people killing 12 with one being a young kid.  There was no question as to IF he done it.  They should have took him outside and shot him dead.  Who cares WHY he done it.  It doesn't matter.

And no he doesn't deserve to sit on death row for 40 years appealing over and over wasting tax payer money.  His victims didn't get a second chance.  They didn't get to live.  He deserves exactly what he dished out.

[madeara]

No, I don't think so.  Taking his life won't bring the victims back.  I believe his serving life in prison is appropriate.

[BlackSheepNY]

He should already be dead.  He is NOT "mentally ill" and calling him so is a slap in the face to people who actually are mentally re-tard-ed.  And NO that is not a bad word.  I don't give a flip about political correctness.  It is what it is.  These days people can do anything and get away with it and claim to be "mentally ill".  Then are coddled the rest of their lives.  This howdy doodie freak shot over 80 people killing 12 with one being a young kid.  There was no question as to IF he done it.  They should have took him outside and shot him dead.  Who cares WHY he done it.  It doesn't matter.

And no he doesn't deserve to sit on death row for 40 years appealing over and over wasting tax payer money.  His victims didn't get a second chance.  They didn't get to live.  He deserves exactly what he dished out.

I have to agree!  They played the "mental illness" up in hopes they'd get such a verdict.  If it were me, he'd have gotten the death penalty.  What the judicial system needs to do these days is SPEED UP that process.  Let's not wait 20-30 years while the criminal lives the life of Riley and the taxpayer is forced to "make him comfortable."

I also agree with the other poster who said Jody Arias should have gotten the death penalty.  Yes, she really did kill her boyfriend 3 times.  She's just another POS that shouldn't breathe another day.

[6265AT99]

I think that is the problem with the "justice system" - it fails to help the mentally ill people and just throws them in with the hardened criminals.  I don't think that's the way to go because this young man will never get the real help he needs.

[hitch0403]

I have NO problem with eye for an eye as its well documented in the Bible!

[monnee]

We know that James Holmes was the shooter at the movie theatre in Aurora, Colorado and we know he has mental health issues.  We also know that people died because of his actions.

Should he be on death row?

No, he'll just cost taxpayers more $$$$$$ locked up in prison like the rest of the killers on death row.

[Nancy5]

I think it is funny, these creeps murder people then always play the mental card.  I think he should have got the death penalty and it should be carried out.  What I don't get is we have all these people sitting on death row, costing taxpayers millions of dollars, and very few states ever carry out the death penalty. 

[workmama]

One word: YES

[southernhorizons]

Plain and simple, yes! And not after 50 years. Punishment should be swift. This is a very cut and dried case, there is no doubt of his guilt, and the taxpayers shouldn't have to support him. Cold-blooded mass murderers don't deserve the air they breathe, and should be quickly disposed of.

[michele2042]

I am one who is on the fence about the death penalty in some cases.  This one I felt he deserved the death penalty until I heard the parents of one young woman killed speak.  The talked about how they are older and if he is given the death penalty because of the automatic appeals they would never see the sentence carried out.  They said they did not want to spend their remaining  years attending all the court dates, etc.  They felt if he were given life without parole they could attempt to go on with their lives and never have to see or deal with him again.   I felt for them and when I heard the verdict I hoped they had found some peace and could start a healing process.

[bowrunner]

I am very much afraid that life without parole is not really without parole.  I expect he'll be out in 20 years or less.  He should have gotten the death penalty and would have except for one juror who held out for life without parole because of his mental problems.