The parents of James Holmes, the shooting suspect who is convicted of killing 12 people and injuring 70 others after opening fire in a Colorado movie theater in 2012, have reportedly pleaded for their son’s life to be spared, according to the Detroit News.

Robert and Arlene Holmes reportedly blamed “mental illness” for the shooting at the Colorado movie theater just weeks before the trial of James Holmes is set to begin.

“He is not a monster. He is a human being gripped by a severe mental illness,” they wrote.

There is reportedly an option for a plea deal, which would allow Holmes to plead guilty to the charges in exchange for life in prison without parole, according to the Irish Independent.

“If that happened, our son would be in prison the rest of his life, but no one would have to relive those horrible events at a trial the media has permission to televise,” they wrote.

The parents of the suspect added, “We are always praying for everyone in Aurora. We wish that July 20, 2012 never happened.”

Marcus Weaver, who was shot in the arm and had a friend killed in the Colorado theater shooting, reportedly asked why the parents waited three years to make their plea and apologize.

“People are hurting,” Weaver stated.

He added, “For his parents to send us an apology letter three years later is an insult. It would have been better if they had said nothing at all.”

Jury selection for the upcoming trial is reportedly scheduled to start on January 20.