FILE - In this March 12, 2013 file photo, James Holmes, left, and defense attorney Tamara Brady appear in district court in Centennial, Colo. for his arraignment. Lawyers for Holmes, the man accused of killing 12 people and injuring 70 in a Colorado movie theater, said Tuesday May 7, 2013 he wants to change his plea to not guilty by reason of insanity. (AP Photo/The Denver Post, RJ Sangosti, Pool, File)  FILE - In this March 12, 2013 file photo, James Holmes, left, and...  FILE - In this March 12, 2013, file photo, Robert and Arlene Holmes, the parents of Aurora theater shooting suspect James Holmes, arrive at district court for the arraignment of their son in Centennial, Colo. Robert and Arlene Holmes are asking that their son not receive the death penalty. Jury selection is scheduled to begin in January 2015, for the 2012 attack in Aurora that killed 12 people and injured 70.  FILE - In this March 12, 2013, file photo, Robert and Arlene...  FILE - In this Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, file photo, Arlene Holmes, center, is consoled as she leaves the courtroom after a pretrial readiness hearing in the murder trial of her son, James Holmes, in Centennial, Colo. Robert and Arlene Holmes are asking that their son not receive the death penalty. Jury selection is scheduled to begin in January 2015, for the 2012 attack in Aurora that killed 12 people and injured 70.  FILE - In this Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, file photo, Arlene Holmes,...  Arlene Holmes, back, leaves the courtroom after a pre-trial readiness hearing early on Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, in Centennial, Colo., in the murder trial of her son, James Holmes, who is charged with killing 12 moviegoers and wounding 70 more in a shooting spree in a crowded theatre in Aurora, Colo., in July 2012. The trial is set to start on Jan. 20, 2015.  Arlene Holmes, back, leaves the courtroom after a pre-trial...  FILE - In this Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, file photo, Robert Holmes, far right, father of theater shooting suspect James Holmes, walks to a pretrial readiness hearing, in Centennial, Colo. Robert and Arlene Holmes are asking that their son not receive the death penalty. Jury selection is scheduled to begin in January 2015, for the 2012 attack in Aurora that killed 12 people and injured 70.  FILE - In this Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, file photo, Robert Holmes, far...  Robert Holmes, far right, father of theatre shooting suspect James Holmes, walks to a pre-trial readiness hearing early on Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, in Centennial, Colo., in the murder trial of his son, who is charged with killing 12 moviegoers and wounding 70 more in a shooting spree in a crowded theatre in Aurora, Colo., in July 2012. The trial is set to start on Jan. 20, 2015.  Robert Holmes, far right, father of theatre shooting suspect James...  Karen Pearson, left, who is leading the prosecution team in the murder trial of theatre shooting suspect James Holmes, walks to a pre-trial readiness hearing early on Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, in Centennial, Colo., in the trial of Holmes, who is charged with killing 12 moviegoers and wounding 70 more in a shooting spree in a crowded theatre in Aurora, Colo., in July 2012. The trial is set to start on Jan. 20, 2015.  Karen Pearson, left, who is leading the prosecution team in the...  Karen Pearson, the attorney in charge of the prosecution team in the murder trial of accused theatre shooting suspect James Holmes, walks to a pre-trial readiness hearing early on Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, in Centennial, Colo., in the trial of Holmes, who is charged with killing 12 moviegoers and wounding 70 more in a shooting spree in a crowded theatre in Aurora, Colo., in July 2012. The trial is set to start on Jan. 20, 2015.  Karen Pearson, the attorney in charge of the prosecution team in...  George Brauchler, left, district attorney of Arapahoe County, Colo., walks to a pre-trial readiness hearing early on Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, in Centennial, Colo., in the murder trial of James Holmes, who is charged with killing 12 moviegoers and wounding 70 more in a shooting spree in a crowded theatre in Aurora, Colo., in July 2012. The trial is set to start on Jan. 20, 2015.  George Brauchler, left, district attorney of Arapahoe County,...  Daniel King, defense attorney for theatre shooting suspect James Holmes, walks to a pre-trial readiness hearing in the murder trial of Holmes, early on Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, in Centennial, Colo. Holmes is charged with killing 12 moviegoers and wounding 70 more in a shooting spree in a crowded theatre in Aurora, Colo., in July 2012. The trial is set to start on Jan. 20, 2015.  Daniel King, defense attorney for theatre shooting suspect James...  George Brauchler, left, district attorney for Arapahoe County, Colo., walks out of the courtroom with an unidentified man after a pre-trial readiness hearing in the murder trial of James Holmes, Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, in Centennial, Colo. Holmes is charged with killing 12 moviegoers and wounding 70 more in a shooting spree in a crowded theatre in Aurora, Colo., in July 2012. The trial is set to start on Jan. 20, 2015.  George Brauchler, left, district attorney for Arapahoe County,...  An Arapahoe County, Colo., Sheriffs deputy escorts Josh Nolan, left, who was shot and injured in the shooting spree in an Aurora, Colo., theatre on July 20, 2012, and other attendees out of the courthouse after they looked on during a pre-trial readiness hearing in the murder trial of James Holmes, Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, in Centennial, Colo. Holmes is charged with killing 12 moviegoers and wounding 70 more in the massacre. The trial is set to start on Jan. 20, 2015.  An Arapahoe County, Colo., Sheriffs deputy escorts Josh Nolan,...  FILE - In this March 12, 2013 file photo, Aurora, Colo., theater shooting suspect James Holmes sits in the courtroom during his arraignment in Centennial, Colo. On Monday, April 1, 2013, prosecutors said they will seek the death penalty against Holmes. (AP Photo/Denver Post, RJ Sangosti, Pool, File)  FILE - In this March 12, 2013 file photo, Aurora, Colo., theater...  FILE - In this April 16, 2007 file photo, Judge Carlos Samour sentences Jason Reynolds to two consecutive life terms for the murder of Kelvin Norman and Greg Boss, at the Arapahoe County District Court in Centennial, Colo. District Judge Carlos Samour will preside over the James Holmes death penalty case. His predecessor, William Sylvester, says the case will take too much time from his administrative duties as chief district judge. Sylvester appointed Samour to take over. The case is fraught with tension and emotion, and some key decisions could lie ahead for Samour. (AP Photo/Chris Schneider, Pool)  FILE - In this April 16, 2007 file photo, Judge Carlos Samour...  Robert and Arlene Holmes arrive at district court for a hearing in the case of their son, Aurora theater shooting suspect James Holmes, in Centennial, Colo.  Robert and Arlene Holmes arrive at district court for a hearing in...  Defense attorney Daniel King arrives at district court for a hearing in the case of Aurora theater shooting suspect James Holmes in Centennial, Colo., on Monday, April 1, 2013. The prosecution announced they will seek the death penalty against Holmes. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)  Defense attorney Daniel King arrives at district court for a...  Unidentified women embrace outside of the courtroom in the case of Aurora theater shooting suspect James Holmes in Centennial, Colo., on Monday, April 1, 2013, after hearing that the prosecution will seek the death penalty in the case against Holmes. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)  Unidentified women embrace outside of the courtroom in the case of...  District Attorney George Brauchler arrives at district court for a hearing in the case of Aurora theater shooting suspect James Holmes in Centennial, Colo., on Monday, April 1, 2013. Brauchler announced he will seek the death penalty against Holmes. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)  District Attorney George Brauchler arrives at district court for a...  This photo provided by the Judicial Branch of the state of Colorado shows 18th Judicial District Judge Carlos Armando Samour Jr. On Monday, April 1, 2013, District Judge William Sylvester named Samour to take over the case of Aurora, Colo., theater shooting suspect James Holmes. As chief judge for the district, Sylvester is responsible for the overall running of the court and said he couldn?t do that and also oversee a complicated death penalty case. (AP Photo/State of Colorado Judicial Branch)  This photo provided by the Judicial Branch of the state of Colorado...  Sherry Delaney, right, hugs Arlene Holmes, center, as Robert Holmes, left, looks on as they leave the courthouse in Centennial, Colo., on Monday, April 1, 2013, after attending hearings in the case against their son Aurora theater shooting suspect James Holmes. The prosecution announced they would seek the death penalty against Holmes. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)  Sherry Delaney, right, hugs Arlene Holmes, center, as Robert...  Marcus Weaver talks to the media after sitting in on a hearing for Aurora theater shooting suspect James Holmes in Centennial, Colo., on Monday, April 1, 2013. Weaver says he would like to see Holmes plead guilty for life in prison instead of the prosecution seeking the death penalty. He feels that the trial would last a long time. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)  Marcus Weaver talks to the media after sitting in on a hearing for...  James Holmes parents Robert and Arlene Holmes arrive at district court for the arraignment of their son Aurora theater shooting suspect James Holmes in Centennial, Colo., on Tuesday, March 12, 2013. The judge has entered a not guilty on behalf of James Holmes after his lawyer said he's not ready to enter a plea. Holmes is charged with killing 12 people and wounding more than 50 in a crowded Colorado movie theater last year. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)  James Holmes parents Robert and Arlene Holmes arrive at district...  Judge William Blair Sylvester speaks during James Holmes' arraignment, where he entered a guilty plea for Holmes, in district court in Centennial, Colo., on Tuesday, March 12, 2013. Sylvester entered a not guilty plea on behalf of James Holmes after the former graduate student's defense team said he was not ready to enter one. (AP Photo/Denver Post, RJ Sangosti, Pool)  Judge William Blair Sylvester speaks during James Holmes'...  Defense attorney Daniel King arrives at district court for the arraignment of James Holmes, Aurora theater shooting suspect, in Centennial, Colo., on Tuesday, March 12, 2013. Holmes is charged with killing 12 people and wounding more than 50 in a crowded Colorado movie theater last year. The hearing was delayed as King arrived 30 minutes late because of weather and traffic. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)  Defense attorney Daniel King arrives at district court for the...  District Attorney George Brauchler, standing at podium, addresses the court during the arraignment of James Holmes, Aurora theater shooting suspect, in Centennial, Colo., on Tuesday, March 12, 2013. Judge William Blair Sylvester entered a not guilty plea on behalf of James Holmes on Tuesday after the former graduate student's defense team said he was not ready to enter one. (AP Photo/Denver Post, RJ Sangosti, Pool)  District Attorney George Brauchler, standing at podium, addresses...  Defense attorney Tamara Brady talks to defendant James Holmes during his arraignment in Centennial, Colo., on Tuesday, March 12, 2013. Judge William Blair Sylvester entered a not guilty plea on behalf of James Holmes on Tuesday after the former graduate student's defense team said he was not ready to enter one. (AP Photo/Denver Post, RJ Sangosti, Pool)  Defense attorney Tamara Brady talks to defendant James Holmes...  Members of law enforcement wearing body armor and helmets prepare to what ATF sources describe as a"water shot" in the apartment of alleged gunman James Holmes Saturday, July 21, 2012 in Aurora , Colo. The "water shot" is exploded and used to disrupt the device. Authorities reported that 12 died and more than three dozen people were shot during an assault at a movie theatre midnight premiere of "The Dark Knight Rises." (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)  Members of law enforcement wearing body armor and helmets prepare...  AURORA, CO - JULY 21: Police surround the apartment of James Holmes, the suspect in the Colorado theater shooting, on July 21, 2012 in Aurora, Colorado. Numerous explosive devices were found in the apartment and successfully disarmed. According to reports, 12 people have been killed and over 59 injured including 9 in critical condition. (Photo by Chris Schneider/Getty Images)  AURORA, CO - JULY 21: Police surround the apartment of James...  A police office carries out evidence in a box from the apartment of the James Holmes July 21, 2012 in Aurora, Colorado. Officers have not yet been able to enter the apartment of the man accused of killing 12 and wounding dozens at a nearby theater. AFP PHOTO/DON EMMERTDON EMMERT/AFP/GettyImages  A police office carries out evidence in a box from the apartment of...  Federal agents unload material to collect evidence at the apartment house of shooting suspect James Eagen Holmes. Federal agents began collecting evidence from the apartment after clearing it of booby traps. in Aurora, Colo., Saturday, July 21, 2012. Holmes has been charged in the shooting at an Aurora theatre early Friday that killed twelve people and injured 59.(AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)  Federal agents unload material to collect evidence at the apartment...  Firefighters and police gather after an explosion could be heard outside the apartment of James Holmes in Aurora, Colo., Saturday, July 21, 2012. Federal authorities detonated one small explosive and disarmed another inside Holmes' apartment, but several other explosive devices remained, said Aurora police Sgt. Cassidee Carlson. Twelve people were killed and dozens were injured in a shooting attack early Friday at a packed movie theater during a showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Police have identified Holmes, 24, as the suspected shooter. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)  Firefighters and police gather after an explosion could be heard...  AURORA, CO - JULY 21: Seen from the air, police and fire fighters have their morning meeting as they surround the booby-trapped apartment of suspect James Holmes after he went on a shooting rampage at nearby Century 16 movie theatre during an early morning screening of the new Batman movie, 'The Dark Knight Rises,' on July 21, 2012 in Aurora, Colorado. According to reports, 12 people have been killed and over 59 injured including 9 in critical condition. Police have the suspect, twenty-four year old James Holmes of North Aurora, in custody. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)  AURORA, CO - JULY 21: Seen from the air, police and fire fighters...  AURORA, CO - JULY 21: FBI and ATF agents prepare to gather evidence from the apartment of James Holmes, the suspect in the Colorado theater shooting, on July 21, 2012 in Aurora, Colorado. Numerous explosive devices were found in the apartment and successfully disarmed. According to reports, 12 people have been killed and over 59 injured including 9 in critical condition. (Photo by Chris Schneider/Getty Images)  AURORA, CO - JULY 21: FBI and ATF agents prepare to gather...  AURORA, CO - JULY 21: Seen from the air, police and fire fighters surround the booby-trapped apartment of suspect James Holmes after he went on a shooting rampage at nearby Century 16 movie theatre during an early morning screening of the new Batman movie, 'The Dark Knight Rises,' on July 21, 2012 in Aurora, Colorado. According to reports, 12 people have been killed and over 59 injured including 9 in critical condition. Police have the suspect, twenty-four year old James Holmes of North Aurora, in custody. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)  AURORA, CO - JULY 21: Seen from the air, police and fire fighters...  AURORA, CO - JULY 21: Federal, state and local law enforcement agents and explosives experts huddle after a controled detonation inside James Holmes' apartment July 21, 2012 in Aurora, Colorado. According to police in Aurora, a suburb of Denver, Holmes, 24, is in custody and is suspected of killing 12 people and injuring 59 during a screening of 'The Dark Knight Rises.' Holmes left his apartment filled with 30 various devices and trip wires meant to kill or hurt anyone entering. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)  AURORA, CO - JULY 21: Federal, state and local law enforcement...  AURORA, CO - JULY 21: A young boy escapes the heat of his apartment after the air conditioning and electricity in the area was cut off by law enforcement agents and explosives experts trying to enter and render safe James Holmes' apartment July 21, 2012 in Aurora, Colorado. According to police in Aurora, a suburb of Denver, Holmes, 24, is in custody and is suspected of killing 12 people and injuring 59 during a screening of 'The Dark Knight Rises.' Holmes left his apartment filled with 30 various devices and trip wires meant to kill or hurt anyone entering. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)  AURORA, CO - JULY 21: A young boy escapes the heat of his...  AURORA, CO - JULY 21: Aurora Police Department motorcycles escort a dump truck filled with sand and improvised explosive devices removed from James Holmes' apartment July 21, 2012 in Aurora, Colorado. According to police in Aurora, a suburb of Denver, Holmes, 24, is in custody and is suspected of killing 12 people and injuring 59 during a screening of 'The Dark Knight Rises.' Holmes left his apartment filled with 30 various devices and trip wires ment to kill or hurt anyone entering. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)  AURORA, CO - JULY 21: Aurora Police Department motorcycles escort a...  An Aurora police officer pulls down the crime scene tape allowing most residents back to their homes that are near the apartment of alleged gunman James Holmes, Saturday, July 21, 2012 in Aurora, Colo. Authorities reported that 12 died and more than three dozen people were shot during an assault at a movie theatre midnight premiere of "The Dark Knight Rises." (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)  An Aurora police officer pulls down the crime scene tape allowing...  FBI agents investigate in the apartment of alleged gunman James Holmes, Saturday, July 21, 2012 in Aurora, Colo. Authorities reported that 12 died and more than three dozen people were shot during an assault at a movie theatre midnight premiere of "The Dark Knight Rises." (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)  FBI agents investigate in the apartment of alleged gunman James...  An investigator removes a computer hard drive as evidence from the apartment of alleged gunman James Holmes, Saturday, July 21, 2012 in Aurora, Colo. Authorities reported that 12 died and more than three dozen people were shot during an assault at a movie theatre midnight premiere of "The Dark Knight Rises." (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)  An investigator removes a computer hard drive as evidence from the...  Investigators remove computer equipment as evidence from the apartment of alleged gunman James Holmes, Saturday, July 21, 2012 in Aurora, Colo. Authorities reported that 12 died and more than three dozen people were shot during an assault at a movie theatre midnight premiere of "The Dark Knight Rises." (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)  Investigators remove computer equipment as evidence from the...  Investigators remove computer equipment as evidence from the apartment of alleged gunman James Holmes, Saturday, July 21, 2012 in Aurora, Colo. Authorities reported that 12 died and more than three dozen people were shot during an assault at a movie theatre midnight premiere of "The Dark Knight Rises." (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)  Investigators remove computer equipment as evidence from the...  AURORA, CO - JULY 21: A law enforcement official removes broken glass from the window of the apartment of James Holmes, the suspect in the Colorado theater shooting, on July 21, 2012 in Aurora, Colorado. Numerous explosive devices were found in the apartment and successfully disarmed. According to reports, 12 people have been killed and over 59 injured including 9 in critical condition. (Photo by Chris Schneider/Getty Images)  AURORA, CO - JULY 21: A law enforcement official removes broken...  AURORA, CO - JULY 21: Firefighters leave the apartment of James Holmes, the suspect in the Century 16 movie theatre shooting, on July 21, 2012 in Aurora, Colorado. According to reports, 12 people have been killed and over 59 injured including 9 in critical condition. Police have the suspect, twenty-four year old James Holmes of North Aurora, in custody. (Photo by Chris Schneider/Getty Images)  AURORA, CO - JULY 21: Firefighters leave the apartment of James...  An investigator looks out from a window on the stairs up to the apartment of alleged gunman James Holmes, Saturday, July 21, 2012 in Aurora, Colo. Authorities reported that 12 died and more than three dozen people were shot during an assault at a movie theatre midnight premiere of "The Dark Knight Rises." (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)  An investigator looks out from a window on the stairs up to the...  AURORA, CO - JULY 21: Law enforcement officials tow nearby cars as they prepare to disarm the booby-trapped apartment of suspect James Holmes after he went on a shooting rampage at nearby Century 16 movie theatre during an early morning screening of the new Batman movie, 'The Dark Knight Rises' on July 21, 2012 in Aurora, outside of Denver, Colorado. According to reports, 12 people have been killed and over 59 injured. Police have the suspect, twenty-four year old James Holmes of North Aurora, in custody and are now dealing with various devices and trip wires in the apartment. (Photo by Chris Schneider/Getty Images) AURORA, CO - JULY 21: Candles still burn at a makeshift memorial behind the Century 16 movie theater the day after a gunman killed 12 people and injured 59 during an early morning screening of 'The Dark Knight Rises' July 21, 2012 in Aurora, Colorado. Police in Aurora, a suburb of Denver, say they have a suspect James Holmes, 24, in custody. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)  AURORA, CO - JULY 21: Law enforcement officials tow nearby cars as...
DENVER (AP) — The parents of Colorado theater shooter James Holmes begged Friday for his life to be spared through a plea bargain — a move that rekindled the long-running, emotional debate about whether the horrific details of the mass killing should be played out at his upcoming trial.  The statement released by Robert and Arlene Holmes emphasized a key legal issue in the tortured history of the case — James Holmes' mental state when he killed 12 people and injured 70 others, and whether he should die if convicted of the crime.  The statement also thrust the mass shooting into the spotlight once again at a time of heightened concerns over theater safety.  Prosecutors previously rejected at least one proposed plea deal made by attorneys for Holmes, criticizing the lawyers for publicizing the offer and calling it a ploy meant to draw the public and the judge into what should be private plea negotiations.  No details were provided on the information but attorneys previously argued in court about access to details concerning Holmes' mental health.  "To give a person who committed such a calculated, horrific crime a life sentence, to me that's like giving him a slap on the wrist," said Marcus Weaver, who was shot in the arm and whose friend, Rebecca Wingo, died in the attack.