Colorado: Aurora theater shooting prosecution team adds death penalty expert

James Holmes

An attorney with experience in death-penalty cases has been added to the prosecution team on the Aurora movie theater murder case.

Daniel Zook will take an in-courtroom role in the prosecution of theater shooting suspect James Holmes, a spokeswoman for the district attorney's office said. While working at the district attorney's office in El Paso County in the 1990s and early 2000s, Zook prosecuted 4 death-penalty cases. One of those cases resulted in a death sentence - though that sentence was later changed to life in prison because it was decided by judges and not a jury.

"Dan is the most experienced death penalty prosecutor in the state of Colorado and a national expert on these cases," 18th Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler said in a statement. "He brings a wealth of talent to our office and will be a valuable addition to our team."

Zook will join a prosecution team that already includes 4 attorneys - 3 who have been handling the bulk of the casework and another who specializes in issues related to victims.

Holmes faces 166 counts of murder, attempted murder and other offenses in connection with the July 20 shootings that left 12 people dead and another 58 wounded by gunfire. Prosecutors have not announced whether they will seek the death penalty in the case.

Source: The Denver Post, January 31, 2013