Iowa Graduate School Rejected James Holmes in No Uncertain Terms
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RJ Sangosti-Pool/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — There was something that the University of Iowa saw in James Holmes that made educators very wary of accepting the accused Aurora, Colo., movie theater shooter into their neuroscience doctoral program in January 2011.
Whatever that intangible was, the professors were adamant about rejecting Holmes’ application for graduate school.
According to documents released Thursday, professor Daniel Tranel wrote an email to the University of Iowa selection committee that stated bluntly, “Do NOT offer admission under any circumstances.”
Tranel’s reasons for rejection were not uncovered but he apparently felt more strongly about keeping Holmes out of the program than six other applicants.
Meanwhile, professor Mark Blumberg also wrote about Holmes, “I agree with Dan. Don’t admit.”
In his letter to the school, Holmes said that he was interested in the neuroscience program because his mission was to improve people, including those with cognitive disabilities. As it happens, Holmes was eventually treated himself for mental illness, a fact that came out following the shooting rampage on July 20 that left 12 people dead and 58 injured at a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises.
Holmes did get accepted to the University of Colorado Denver graduate school but dropped out shortly before the shooting incident because of poor grades. His attorneys are expected to plead insanity in his defense.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio