Defence in Colorado theatre shooting rests after trying to prove gunman was insane

CENTENNIAL, Colo. – The defence in the Colorado cinema shooting trial has rested after trying to show gunman James Holmes was legally insane at the time of the 2012 attack.

His attorneys argued he was in the grips of a psychotic episode during the attack that killed 12 and injured 70. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

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READ MORE: Colorado theatre shooter’s psychiatrist was warned he thought about killing people

The defence rested Friday after two weeks of testimony that featured psychiatrists who examined Holmes and found that he was insane.

Earlier, two court-appointed doctors testified for the prosecution that Holmes knew the difference between right and wrong at the time of the killings and therefore was sane under Colorado law.

In Colorado, prosecutors have the burden of proof in insanity cases. So the defence only needed to raise a reasonable doubt that Holmes was sane