Holmes' attorneys are expected to present a diminished mental capacity defense.
CNN: Prosecutors set to unveil evidence against James Holmes
Karen Steinhauser, a former prosecutor who is now a law professor at the University of Denver, said prosecutors clearly do not want to agree to a plea deal without knowing whether Holmes' attorneys could mount a strong mental health defense.
In a recent speech to mental health provides, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said commanding officers must make it understood that seeking help for the stresses of war should be seen as a sign of strength rather than as a sign of weakness.
He later earned his law degree and practiced as a defense attorney and mental health judge before becoming the county's district attorney.
If Mr. Jackson had gone to trial, could his mental state have served as a defense to the criminal intent necessary to conviction?
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Nor would they be surprised if the defense raises issues about Tsarnaev's mental state.
Nearly eight months later, the defense has dropped hints about Holmes' mental state but has given no clear statement on whether he would plead insanity.
But he did hint that the defense might have its own expert conduct a mental evaluation of Holmes.
The defense can raise mitigating factors, such as his mental state, to try to persuade jurors to impose a sentence of life in prison instead.
Finally, the National Center for Telehealth and Technology, part of the U.S. Department of Defense, has put out an intriguing suite of mental health apps as well.
"Colorado's statutory scheme regarding the affirmative defense of insanity, and the introduction of any 'mental condition' evidence at trial or sentencing, is unconstitutional in many individual respects, " they wrote in a 60-page motion and brief filed Thursday.
In December 2009, President Barack Obama directed the department to examine four specific areas: combat pay, benefits and pay for the National Guard and Reserve, compensation for wounded service members and their survivors and pay incentives for key defense jobs, such as drone operators, special operations forces, linguists and mental health professionals.
MSN: Pentagon recommends better pay for front-line troops - US news | NBC News
The Departments of Defense and Health and Human Services, for example, have joined forces to improve community mental health services and prevent suicides.
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