Aurora Theater Shooting Trial Begins

Another grey, cool, rainy day here in Boulder - pretty dreary, actually - and it seems like nature is mourning the loss of lives and the tragedies that happened three years ago during the Aurora theater shootings (actual date of the shooting, 20 July 2012).  The trial begins this morning, in Centennial, for the man accused of killing 12 and wounding 70 individuals.  He is pleading "not guilty by reason of insanity" to all 165 charges being brought against him.  His defense team will claim that he suffered from a "psychotic break" from reality and nothing was planned.  The prosecution will show how the accused began purchasing guns, ammunition, riot gear, and chemicals months before the date of the incident, showing that it was premeditated.  After the accused was caught outside the cinema complex, police and investigators found that his apartment was "booby-trapped" with explosive chemicals.
   The theater was showing the premiere of Batman: The Dark Knight Rises at a well-publicized and sold-out midnight showing.  Eighteen minutes after the movie began, the accused entered the theater through a back door, which he had previously blocked open.  He was dress in riot gear and opened fire on the people watching the movie.  At about the same time, neighbors reported that extremely loud music began playing inside his apartment; but it stopped after some time had passed.  It is thought by prosecutors that the accused wanted (a) a neighbor to complain to the police about the loud music after midnight and (b) wanted the responding police to break open the door when there was no response.  Multiple chemicals were rigged to combine upon the opening of the door, causing poisonous fumes and causing a flash-fire.  It is believed that the accused wished to cause as much havoc and fright as possible in both the theater and his apartment building.  A "psychotic break" leading to "temporary insanity" would not have lasted for months, which is how long the accused took to accumulate his arsenal....  And I was really happy to hear that the jury members will be offered free mental health counseling at the end of their services.
   And, today, the jury that found the Boston Marathon bomber guilty of all counts against him, will start meeting again to decide the man's sentencing...     I am really thankful that my Grand Jury stint here in Boulder does not involve anything like the trials in Boston and Centennial!