A Colorado jury just sentenced Aurora movie theater gunman James Holmes to life in prison without parole.
The decision came as a surprise to many, given the heinous nature of the crime, which claimed 12 lives, including a 6-year-old girl’s. 70 others were wounded in the 2012 shooting.
Holmes reportedly had no reaction after the verdict but the same could not be said about social media. People took to Twitter to express their opinion on the outcome: some in support and others in outrage.
[ Related: Amy Schumer Heartbroken Over Trainwreck Theater Shooting ]
Sister Helen Prejean, who was portrayed by Susan Sarandon in the film Dead Man Walking, agreed the jury made the right decision not to sentence Holmes to the death penalty.
The jury made the right decision. James Holmes will serve a life sentence. Slowly but surely the death penalty is being rejected.
— Sister Helen Prejean (@helenprejean) August 7, 2015
But many others — including some celebrities — disagreed. Ch-ch-check out their responses, below:
Not executing our mentally ill, but what are we doing as a society to prevent them from executing others? #JamesHolmes
— Chad Lowe (@ichadlowe) August 7, 2015
What’s the point in having the #deathsentence if even someone like #JamesHolmes doesn’t get it? #Aurora #theatershooting
— Brad Appleton @ TMZ (@brappleton) August 7, 2015
James Holmes sentenced to life in prison. Yes, he murdered 12 & wounded 70, but, in his defense, it’s not as if he killed a lion. #Justice
— Ross Hayes (@IAMELBURRO) August 7, 2015
He killed a 12 people, including a child. He planned it out. Yet #JamesHolmes parents get to visit jail while 12 families visit graves. BS.
— [insert clever name] (@EmMaeKay) August 7, 2015
I applaud the Jury for sparing #JamesHolmes, capital punishment has no place in a civilized society. #EndCapitalPunishment
— Mark Allen Frank (@MarkAllenFrank1) August 8, 2015
#JamesHolmes gets life in prison. The correct sentence. The death penalty isn’t justice, even with scum like him. It’s just revenge.
— Donny Ferguson (@DonnyFerguson) August 7, 2015
There are 3 men on Colorado death row. I wonder what makes them different than James Holmes who shot 70 but got life. pic.twitter.com/KEsGfKNQnR
— David Menschel (@davidminpdx) August 7, 2015
Black men get life in prison for a dub sack of weed. James Holmes gets life in prison for murdering 12 people. This is how whiteness works.
— #FreeJalilMuntaqim (@BlakeDontCrack) August 8, 2015
Where do you weigh in? Vote in the poll below:
So…
[poll=61266]
[Image via AP Images.]
-
Categories
