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A Colorado jury has found James Eagan Holmes guilty of first-degree murder in the deaths of 12 people at an Aurora movie theater three years ago.

As a result, Holmes could face the death penalty.

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Despite an attempt by defense attorneys to paint Holmes as insane for his attack at a premiere screening of The Dark Knight Rises on July 20, 2012, the culprit was found guilty of the following:

  • 24 counts of first-degree murder.
  • 140 counts of attempted murder.
  • One explosives count.

“The families in Aurora have found justice; we must now work to prevent cases like these,” said Congresswoman Watson Coleman in response to the verdict.

Holmes, a 27-year old former doctoral student in neuroscience at the University of Colorado-Denver, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the charges against him.

He never denied carrying out the bloody massacre.

With his hair dyed orange, Holmes told police upon apprehension that he was The Joker.

At the time of the rampage, he wore a ballistic helmet, a vest, a throat protector, a gas mask and black tactical gloves.

Sentencing begins next Wednesday and it may take as long as a month before we know whether Holmes receives the death penalty or simply life in prison.