Prosecutors will seek the death penalty against James Holmes, according to a report in the Associated Press.
Holmes is charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder in the July 20 mass shooting at a late-night screening of "The Dark Knight Rises." The theater shooting in Aurora, Colo., left 12 dead and more than 70 injured.
Also read: Colorado Theater Shooting: Not-Guilty Plea Entered for James Holmes by Judge
In a hearing Monday, District Attorney George Brauchler was blunt about his reasons for seeking the punishment, according to the AP.
"For James Eagan Holmes, justice is death," Brauchler said.
Judge William Blair Sylvester, who is presiding over the case, entered a plea of "not guilty" on behalf of Holmes last month. At the time, Holmes' attorneys said he was not yet ready to enter a plea.
The 25-year-old had floated the possibility of pleading guilty and receiving life in prison in exchange for avoiding the death penalty.
The trial will begin in August.