Colorado Supermarket Shooter Pleads Insanity; Psychologists Say He Was Legally Sane
September 14, 2024The trial began on September 5, 2024, and is expected to conclude by the end of the month.
Alissa has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, arguing that he was unable to discern right from wrong during the incident due to his severe schizophrenia.
Despite his schizophrenia diagnosis, forensic psychologists concluded that Alissa was legally sane at the time of the shooting, understanding the difference between right and wrong.
Psychologist B. Thomas Gray testified that Alissa reported hearing 'killing voices' prior to the attack, although he struggled to provide detailed information about these hallucinations.
The defense has pointed out the uncertainty in the psychologists' findings, as Alissa had difficulty elaborating on his experiences during interviews.
Testimony from pharmacy worker Maggie Montoya revealed that she heard Alissa surrender while claiming he was naked during the shooting.
Alissa expressed intentions to die during the attack to avoid imprisonment, yet he ultimately surrendered to police by stripping to his underwear.
The trial's sanity testimony is expected to conclude soon, after which the defense will begin presenting its case, including testimonies from Alissa's relatives.
During the trial, a pharmacist testified that Alissa said, 'This is fun,' at least three times during the shooting.
In addition to ten counts of first-degree murder, Alissa faces several counts of attempted murder and charges for possessing banned high-capacity ammunition magazines.
Despite hearing voices, Alissa was determined to be legally sane at the time of the shooting, understanding right from wrong.
Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa is currently on trial for the 2021 mass shooting at a Colorado supermarket, where he killed ten people.
Summary based on 4 sources
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Sources
AP News • Sep 14, 2024
Gunman says he heard 'killing voices' before Colorado supermarket shootingABC News • Sep 14, 2024
Gunman says he heard 'killing voices' before Colorado supermarket shooting