Introduction
The doctor asserted that the convicted shooter was sullen and silent even though he was good when inquired about how he was faring. Hence, James Holmes was seen as a rational person during his shooting spree at a movie theatre in Aurora, Colorado injuring 70 and killing 12 people (Phillips, 2018). His planning, selection of time, weaponry, location, and implementation were detailed.
Discussion
Holmes is rational beyond any substantial capacity because he discerned what is right from wrong and everything was deliberate. The two court-appointed psychiatrists explained to the jury that the defendant was sane, but mentally ill that night. In Colorado, if an insanity plea is established, the defendant is presumed insane and the prosecution is tasked with proving it right or wrong. However, the insanity defense could have failed because of his guilt for first-degree murder. Despite being diagnosed with schizophrenia, he understood that he was carrying out that night and that was wrong (Hafemeister, 2019). Therefore, mental illness was insufficient to spare him from taking responsibility for the crimes committed.
Based on my thoughts, Holmes was insane because of the medical reports from the doctors. The money saved could be spent on improving the criminal justice system, such as increasing public safety or providing resources to help prevent wrongful convictions. Research proves that the death penalty is ineffective, it does not deter crime, and it is extremely expensive to administer (Pelli, 2020). While most incarcerated individuals – on death row or otherwise – are guilty, they cannot risk executing the innocent individuals wrongfully sentenced to death.
Conclusion
The Sixth Amendment claims to implicate the right to a jury trial brought by defendants who were sentenced to death for committing murder (Hafemeister, 2019). The death penalty does not violate the Sixth Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment. However, the Sixth Amendment does shape certain procedural aspects regarding when a jury can use the death penalty and how it must be carried out.
Reference
Hafemeister, T. L. (2019). Criminal trials and mental disorders (3rd ed.). NYU Press.
Pelli, G. (2020). Argument of against the death penalty. Against the Death Penalty, 3(2), 85-102. Web.
Phillips, N. (2018). Aurora theater shooter’s psychiatric reports unsealed by 2015 trial judge. The Denver Post. Web.