James Holmes Death Penalty? Aurora Theater Shooter May Plead Guilty To Avoid Capital Punishment

James Holmes' lawyers want to avoid the death penalty for their client, reports say. James Holmes is accused of shooting up an Aurora, Colo. movie theater during a 2012 premiere airing of "The Dark Knight Rises." Denver's ABC affiliate reported that the defense filed a two-page document offering a guilty plea in exchange for abandoning the possibility of the death penalty for James Holmes.

Holmes, a former neuroscience graduate student, appeared in court sporting a full brown beard and red prison jumpsuit. He is accused of killing 12 people and injuring 70 others. Judge William Sylvester entered a not-guilty plea for James Holmes in wake of the death penalty filing, saying he did not want to wait until Holmes' lawyers were ready to enter an official plea themselves. The prosecution now has 60 days to decide whether to seek the death penalty. The Washington Times reported that Holmes' new facial hair is indicative of an alleged recent conversion to Islam.

If the prosecution decides against the death penalty for Holmes, the case may be settled as early as next week. The defense is allegedly still researching a possible insanity defense in case the suit goes to trial. If found guilty by reason of insanity, Holmes would likely live out the rest of his days in an institution.