Colorado jurors to decide fate of King Soopers shooter next week

Jurors in Colorado are deliberating the fate of Ahmad Alissa, who was charged with killing 10 people in a King Soopers grocery store on March 22, 2021. The key question for the jury is whether Alissa was insane at the time of the shooting. The prosecution acknowledged Alissa's schizophrenia but argued that he was aware of his actions, citing his statements about not wanting to go to jail as evidence of his understanding of right and wrong. During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence of Alissa's planning and preparation for the attack, suggesting that he had the capacity to distinguish right from wrong. They emphasized that his repeated comments about the consequences of his actions indicated a level of awareness that contradicts a defense of insanity. In contrast, the defense argued that Alissa's mental illness severely impaired his judgment, leading him to commit the crime under the influence of voices urging him to kill. The defense's plea highlighted the impact of schizophrenia on Alissa's actions, asserting that a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity would not equate to innocence but rather acknowledge the role of his mental illness. The jury deliberated for approximately two hours on Friday and is set to continue their discussions on Monday morning. The outcome of this trial will hinge on the jury's interpretation of Alissa's mental state during the shooting, a decision that carries significant implications for the understanding of mental illness in the context of criminal responsibility.