Arlene Holmes

The father of the Colorado movie massacre gunman pleaded on Tuesday for his son's life, showing the jury photos of family vacations during the days when he said James Holmes was "a really excellent kid" who is mentally ill and not to blame for his July 2012 rampage.

James Holmes, the allegedly disturbed gunman accused of opening fire in a packed Batman movie premiere, killing 12 people, finally went on trial on Monday, nearly three years after the shocking massacre.

The father of the Colorado movie massacre gunman pleaded on Tuesday for his son's life, showing the jury photos of family vacations during the days when he said James Holmes was "a really excellent kid" who is mentally ill and not to blame for his July 2012 rampage.

James Holmes, the allegedly disturbed gunman accused of opening fire in a packed Batman movie premiere, killing 12 people, finally went on trial on Monday, nearly three years after the shocking massacre.