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Defender Opens Trial Saying Holmes Was Insane During Attack

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (AP) - A public defender says James Holmes was insane when he opened fire in a crowded Colorado movie theater in 2012.

Public defender Daniel King said during his opening statement in Holmes' trial that his client was having a psychotic break and was not in control of his thoughts, his actions or "what he perceived as reality" at the time of the attack.

Public defender Daniel King Theater Shooting Trial
Public defender Daniel King during opening statements at the trial (credit: CBS)

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"By the time Holmes stepped into theater, his perception of reality was so skewed, he no longer lived in the same world we live in," King said. "But to him, it seemed as real as this seems to you right now."

Holmes has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to killing 12 people and injuring 70 in the mass shooting in the Denver suburb of Aurora.

(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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