District Attorney George Brauchler, with defense attorney Daniel King in the background, listens to victim statements during the final sentencing in James Holmes’ trial on Tuesday. (RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post)
Re: “Plea discussions turned to opposition in Aurora theater shooting case,” Aug. 23 news story.
District Attorney George Brauchler is reported to have said that his decision to go forward with the James Holmes trial and not accept the plea offer of life without parole was supported by his ability to convince nine jurors of his position. As public defender Doug Wilson succinctly pointed out, “Convincing nine jurors is not enough.” It takes the unanimous verdict of 12 jurors to convict and impose the death penalty. The overwhelming evidence of Holmes’ mental illness should have alerted Brauchler that out of any 12 jurors there would be a strong chance that one of them would not support the death penalty, as in fact happened. Instead he took an emotional position that cost the state millions of dollars to achieve what could have been accomplished by taking the plea. Shame on him.
Larry Leff, Denver
This letter was published in the Aug. 30 edition.
Submit a letter to the editor via this form or check out our guidelines for how to submit by e-mail or mail.
