James Holmes’ Mother Says ‘Schizophrenia Chose Him’

Arlene Holmes, the mother of convicted Colorado theater shooter James Holmes, testified on Wednesday that she and her husband were unaware that their son was having suicidal and homicidal thoughts, or that he was afflicted with a “serious mental illness,” before his July 20, 2012 rampage in which 12 people were killed and 70 others injured. She told the court, “He has a serious mental illness. He didn’t ask for that. Schizophrenia chose him. He didn’t choose it, and I still love my son.” The jury in the trial has rejected the defense’s argument that he was not guilty by reason of insanity. Earlier this month, they found Holmes guilty of 165 counts of first degree murder and attempted murder.