Diary describes alleged Dark Knight cinema gunman’s ‘obsession to kill’
This screenshot made from a pdf released by the Colorado Judicial Department shows a portion of Aurora shooter James Holmes' notebook, after it was presented as evidence in the Holmes murder trial. (AAP)
A diary belonging to the man who allegedly walked into a Denver movie theatre and gunned down dozens of people reportedly described his "obsession to kill" and detailed his plans to do so.
Former neuroscience student James Holmes, 27, is on trial for murder, accused of killing 12 people and wounding 70 others during the premiere of the Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises in June 2012.
Excerpts from a brown spiral-bound notebook, allegedly belonging to Mr Holmes, have been read aloud in court, the Denver Post reports.
"The obsession to kill since I was a kid with age became more and more realistic," it reads.
In red ink, the notes reportedly describe detailed plans for an attack, including diagrams of different movie theatres.
A check mark is placed next to the words "mass murder/spree".
On one page he reportedly estimated the police response time to the Aurora theatre as three minutes. On another he wrote that his victims would be chosen randomly.
"The cruel twists of fate are unkind to the misfortunate," it reads.
"The message is there is no message. Most fools will misinterpret correlation for causation naming relationship and work failures as causes. Both were expediting catalysts, not the reason. The causation being my state of mind for the past 15 years."
Seven consecutive pages were reportedly filled with the word "Why?".
Mr Holmes reportedly mailed the notebook, along with $400 worth of burned $20 notes to his psychiatrist just hours before the shooting.
Mr Holmes has entered a plea of not guilty on the grounds of insanity.
Prosecutors allege Mr Holmes was sane at the time of the attack and are seeking the death penalty.
The trial continues.
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
