Judge formally sentences Colorado shooter James Holmes to life in prison

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (AP) — James Holmes was an angry quitter who gave up on life and turned his hatred into murder and mayhem against innocent victims in a Colorado movie theater, the judge said today before formally sentencing him to life in prison.

"It is almost impossible to comprehend how a human being is capable of such acts," Judge Carlos A. Samour Jr. said.

Judge Samour contrasted Holmes' bloody assault with the compassion of a juror who voted for a life sentence instead of the death penalty. And he noted the trial was fair, even if some victims were disappointed that Holmes didn't get the death penalty.

"I believe in the system," Judge Samour said. "I said that before, and I'll say it again. I believe in the system."

Judge Samour formally sentenced Holmes to life in prison without parole for the murders of 12 people. He also was sentencing Holmes to more than to 3,200 additional years for attempted murder and an explosives conviction.

The judge had no other sentencing option on the murder charges after a jury earlier this month did not unanimously agree that Holmes should get the death penalty. Judge Samour issued his sentence after two days of testimony from survivors of the attack, including first responders.