Midday Roundup: Prosecutors want death penalty for Colorado shooter James Holmes

Paying the ultimate price. Colorado prosecutors announced today they will seek the death penalty for James Holmes, the man accused of shooting up an Aurora, Colo., movie theater. The attack killed 12 and wounded 70. Holmes had offered to plead guilty to avoid the death penalty. Holmes’ attorneys are expected to advise their client to plead not guilty by reason of insanity, a decision they said they had delayed until hearing the state’s decision about the death penalty. Prosecutors have accused the defense team of refusing to hand over information they need to evaluate any plea deal, but the two sides could still reach an agreement before the case goes to trial.

Texas attacks. Law enforcement officials in Kaufman, Texas, are on high alert this week after the shooting deaths of District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife, Cynthia. The attack on McLelland follows the January shooting death of Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse. Officials believe the white supremacist gang Aryan Brotherhood of Texas could be responsible for the killings. Kaufman was one of several Texas counties that participated in a task force targeting the gang in 2012. The investigation resulted in an indictment prosecutors described as a “devastating blow” to the organization, and they feared some form of retaliation.

The will of Allah. A 25-year-old Ohio man told terrified witnesses that killing was the “will of Allah” after he walked into a church following the Easter service and shot his father. Police officers arrived quickly and subdued the shooter. Although Reshad Riddle has an extensive criminal record, members of the Hiawatha Church of God in Christ in Ashtabula, Ohio, said they did not believe he had problems with his father. Riddle attended the church as a child but not as an adult.

April Fools. President Barack Obama had a little fun today, White House Easter Egg Roll aside. After tweeting the promise of an important video message to appear at 10 a.m., the president’s aides uploaded a video of YouTube sensation Robby Novak, better known as “Kid President,” climbing behind the podium in the briefing room. “It looks like you were expecting someone else,” the 9-year-old said, his head barely visible over the top of the podium.