'I Didn't Feel Anything': Theater Shooter's Video Interviews With Psychiatrist Released
DENVER (AP) — Prosecutors have released hours of video showing Colorado theater shooter James Holmes' interviews with a psychiatrist about the 2012 massacre in Aurora. The videos released Tuesday show Holmes being questioned by William Reid, a court-appointed psychiatrist who evaluated Holmes' sanity.
Most of the videos were shown to the jury at Holmes' trial and were widely reported.
In one video, recorded on Aug. 1, 2014, the gunman describes feeling "uncomfortable" when officers handcuffed him after the shooting. He goes on to describe the process of being transported to the police station and waiting to be processed and interrogated.
"They put bags on my hands, for GSR residue testing, I guess," he says. His eyes are wide open and his voice is flat. "I thought they looked like popcorn bags. Like they were going to microwave my hands or something."
"You mentioned that there was nothing to do... what are you doing with the bags on your hands?" Reid asked.
"I was doing sock puppets or something," the gunman answers.
"What did you feel experience in the process of being arrested?" the psychiatrist asks.
"I didn't have any feelings about it," he answers. "I just kinda felt it was something that was gonna be done... I didn't have any feelings."
When asked why he told police about the explosive devices in his apartment, he responds "Well they originally said that children would probably get hurt... I didn't want children to get hurt, so I talked to them."
"Did it make you nervous to be in court?" Reid asks.
"I don't think so," he answers.
When asked how he feels about the possibility of being sent to a hospital instead of prison, he says, "Well it's better food, at least."
He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity but was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
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Prosecutors' spokeswoman Vikki Migoya said people who want to see the videos can access them here.
The videos were released at the request of attorney Steven Zansberg. Zansberg said he was representing a documentary producer whom he declined to identify.
(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)