The murder trial of Ahmad Alissa, who is accused of killing 10 people at a King Soopers in Boulder, is nearing its conclusion after two weeks of testimony. The prosecution and defense presented their closing arguments to the jurors. This case is rare as mass shooters often die during the incident, commit suicide, or plead guilty. The last time a jury in Colorado examined the sanity of a mass shooter was during the 2015 trial of the Aurora Theater gunman, James Holmes.
Dr. William Reid, a court-appointed psychiatrist in the Holmes case, spent 23 hours interviewing the shooter over several sessions. Reid noted similarities between Holmes and the King Soopers defendant, as both surrendered to police without resistance. The defendants in both cases were diagnosed with schizophrenia and reported hearing voices, but those voices did not command them to commit mass murder. Reid emphasized the complexity of determining legal insanity in such cases.
Reid also discussed the importance of juries in such trials and the need for jurors to remain objective. He highlighted how jurors’ personal feelings or experiences can influence their decision-making. If the King Soopers defendant is found not guilty by reason of insanity, he could be committed to the Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo, where patients receive treatment in a hospital-like setting.
The trial raises questions about the relationship between mental health and criminal responsibility, as well as the role of the jury in determining the defendant’s fate. Reid’s insights into the minds of mass shooters provide valuable perspective in understanding the complexities of these tragic cases.
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