A long-awaited trial commenced in Colorado as opening statements were presented to the jury, shedding light on the final moments of the 10 victims who were tragically gunned down at a Boulder grocery store over three years ago. The accused, Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, is facing multiple charges, including 10 counts of murder and 38 counts of attempted murder. Alissa had previously pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The trial seeks to determine whether he was mentally capable of distinguishing right from wrong during the mass shooting that occurred on March 22, 2021 at the King Soopers grocery store.

According to court records and the owner of a gun shop in Arvada, Colorado, Alissa purchased a Ruger AR-556 just days before the massacre. He passed a background check, allowing him to obtain the firearm used in the killings. The state of Colorado has sadly experienced other mass shootings in the past, including the infamous 1999 Columbine High School massacre and the 2012 Aurora movie theater shooting.

During the defense's opening statements, public defender Sam Dunn acknowledged that Alissa was the person responsible for the horrific act, stating, "We are not contesting that the person that killed 10 innocent people and brought fear to so many others and grief and suffering to countless" is the defendant sitting before the court. Dunn argued that Alissa suffers from a severe and treatment-resistant form of schizophrenia and was experiencing a psychotic episode at the time of the shooting. Alissa himself described hearing consistent voices during a psychological evaluation.

Prosecutor Michael Dougherty described in harrowing detail the events of that fateful day, highlighting the vibrant and bustling atmosphere of the supermarket just before the shooting took place. He emphasized the sense of community that King Soopers represented to its patrons and how it tragically became a place where lives were lost. The prosecutor recounted the heartbreaking stories of the 10 victims, such as Neven Stanisic, 23, who was on the phone with a co-worker minutes before he was killed, and Kevin Mahoney, 61, who exchanged a smile with a woman moments before being gunned down.

Teri Leiker, 51, a longtime employee of the supermarket known for her warm smile, was fatally shot while bagging groceries. Jody Waters, 65, spent her final moments hiding under a checkout counter. The massacre unfolded quickly, with the first eight victims being killed in just 68 seconds. Remarkably, Alissa spared the life of a 90-year-old man, indicating that he intentionally targeted those in fear and vulnerable.

As the trial continues, the central question for the jury to decide is whether Alissa was capable of distinguishing right from wrong regarding the murder of 10 individuals and the attempted murder of 25 others. The defense argues that his severe mental illness prevented him from forming a culpable mental state. Meanwhile, the prosecution contends that mental illness does not equate to legal insanity and that Alissa's actions demonstrate his awareness of his actions.

The trial also revealed that Alissa was ultimately apprehended after attempting to ambush law enforcement officers. After being wounded in the leg, he surrendered upon realizing that he was surrounded and outgunned. This surrender, according to the prosecution, exemplifies his ability to differentiate between right and wrong.

The defense emphasized Alissa's advanced stage of schizophrenia and his treatment with Clozaril, an antipsychotic medication considered a last resort. They argued that his disorganized thinking led to illogical behaviors. Moreover, Alissa's untreated condition stemmed from cultural factors, as his family believed mental illness to be a form of demonic possession.

As the trial progresses, it seeks to provide justice for the victims of this tragic event while grappling with the complex issue of mental illness and its impact on criminal responsibility. The trial will delve deeper into Alissa's state of mind at the time of the shooting and ultimately determine his culpability for this devastating act of violence.