James Holmes, the man who was found guilty last month of murdering 12 people and wounding 70 in a Colorado movie theater, was handed 12 life sentences and the maximum 3,318 years in prison.
The defense had tried to argue that Holmes' rampage was attributable to mental illness and that that fact should be taken into consideration during his sentencing.
However, according to Reuters, Arapahoe County District Court Judge Carlos Samour argued Wednesday that evil and mental illness weren't mutually exclusive.
He said whatever illness Holmes may have suffered, there was overwhelming evidence that a significant part of his conduct had been driven by "moral obliquity, mental depravity, ... anger, hatred, revenge, or similar evil conditions."
The jury did not reach a unanimous decision on whether Holmes should be executed. That meant that Holmes was automatically handed life sentences for each person he killed, reported NBC News. The additional 3,318 years came from the 70 convictions of attempted murder and the single explosives charge.
Samour handed down the sentences after listening to the testimonies of first responders, survivors and relatives of the deceased, according to The Seattle Times.
"It is the court's intention that the defendant never set foot in free society again ... If there was ever a case that warranted the maximum sentences, this is the case," he said. "The defendant does not deserve any sympathy."
While those in the gallery cheered after hearing the sentence, Samour ordered for Holmes to be removed from his courtroom.
