Prosecutors ask for a second mental evaluation of James Holmes

Prosecutors in the trial of James Holmes, the man who massacred people at the Aurora, Colorado theater, have asked for a second psychiatric evaluation of Holmes. The first evaluation by Colorado State Mental Hospital psychiatrists, concluded that Holmes was sane at the time he committed the murders. That is why it is unusual that prosecutors are asking for a second evaluation. John Ingold writes in the Denver Post,

Holmes has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to charges that he murdered 12 people and tried to kill dozens more inside the Century Aurora 16 movie theater in July, 2012.

The results of that evaluation have not been disclosed publicly. Earlier this month, defense attorneys filed motions — also sealed — arguing that the report from the evaluation shows that Holmes is too mentally ill to face the death penalty. The judge does not have to grant the request for another evaluation. Instead, prosecutors must show that they have "good cause" to have another exam performed. That has proved to be a difficult bar to reach for prosecutors in recent years.