Lawyers for James Holmes revealed in court papers filed Wednesday that they offered to have the alleged Colorado theater shooter plead guilty to the 166 charges he’s facing, and will accept a sentence of life in prison with no parole. The defense made the offer weeks ago, and the Denver Post says it’s no coincidence that it’s being made public just days before April 1, when the prosecution is set to announce whether it will seek the death penalty. Defense lawyers wrote, “Mr. Holmes is currently willing to resolve the case to bring the proceedings to a speedy and definite conclusion for all involved,” and it’s believed that they’re trying to put pressure on the prosecution to accept the deal. When Holmes’s lawyers refused to enter a plea earlier this month, a judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. Holmes’s lawyers added that if the offer is rejected, they may pursue an insanity defense, and will defend him “vigorously.”
