Colo. shooter’s ex asked him to see therapist

Associated Press

CENTENNIAL, Colo.

Months before James Holmes opened fire in a Colorado movie theater, his ex-girlfriend said she urged him to talk to his therapist after he mentioned having thoughts about killing people, but his thoughts “seemed very philosophical” and not a concrete threat.

Gargi Datta also testified Thursday that during their relationship, Holmes showed no interest in guns, including when they visited an outdoor store that sold weapons, and that she did not know about his meticulous plans for the July 20, 2012, attack or the arsenal he assembled.

Datta and Holmes were graduate students at the University of Colorado when they began dating during their first semester in the fall of 2011. By February 2012, she did not want anything more than a casual relationship, and the two remained “friends with benefits” until Holmes told her in early April he could not continue the relationship as friends after telling her that he loved her. After that, Datta said, she did not communicate with Holmes and only saw him in the classroom.

District Attorney George Brauchler has said Holmes’ breakup with Datta was a catalyst to the shooting at a suburban Denver movie theater. He said Datta was Holmes’ first romantic relationship.

Holmes has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in the attack that killed 12 people and injured 70. Prosecutors contend Holmes was sane, and they are seeking the death penalty.