Trial Begins for Colorado Supermarket Shooter

Jury selection started in the trial of Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, accused of murdering 10 people at a Colorado supermarket in 2021. The defense argues Alissa was too mentally ill to distinguish right from wrong. He faces life imprisonment without parole if convicted. Opening statements may begin soon.

Jury selection commenced on Monday in the delayed trial of Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, who is charged with murdering 10 people at a Colorado supermarket in 2021. The outcome centers on whether the defense can prove that Alissa, who has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, was too mentally ill to distinguish right from wrong at the time of the attack.

Alissa stormed a Boulder King Soopers on March 22, 2021, armed with a Ruger AR-556 pistol, killing two people outside and eight inside, including a responding police officer. The rampage ended when he was shot in the leg by police, leading to his surrender. Alissa has been in custody since.

Conviction would result in a life sentence without parole, as Colorado has no death penalty. Jury selection is set to conclude by week's end, with opening statements expected soon. Alissa, diagnosed with schizophrenia, was earlier deemed incompetent for trial but has since been ruled competent, allowing the trial to proceed.

(With inputs from agencies.)