The perpetrator of the 2012 Colorado movie theater shootings, James Holmes, has been sentenced to life in prison after the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict on the death penalty.

The shooting, which occurred during a screening of ‘Batman; The Dark Knight Rises’, in Aurora Colorado, left twelve people dead and more than seventy injured.

Holmes pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, but that was rejected by the jury who found him guilty on the 24 counts of first degree murder he was charged with. When it came to sentencing however, the jury could not decide on granting the death penalty.

A juror told reporters one juror was firmly against the death penalty, whilst two other were uncertain.

Their inability to render a unanimous death penalty verdict means Holmes by default gets life with no parole.

Official sentencing is scheduled for 24-26 August.

The Colorado movie theater shooting occurred on July 19 2012, when Holmes entered the theater during a screening of the Batman movie ‘The Dark Knight Rises’. Dressed in a ballistic helmet, a gas mask, black gloves and protective gear for his legs, throat and groin- he opened fire in the theater.

He was arrested a short while later.