Shane James trial: Opening arguments begin

Shane James on trial for a shooting spree from December 5th, 2023. He pleaded not guilty. He's accused of killing his parents in San Antonio before coming to Austin. That morning, police say James shot and injured an AISD officer at Northeast Early College High School, later killing four more people and injuring two others. Prosecutors argue that he knew what he was doing. That expert witness is going to get up there and tell you that when... This defendant, Shane James, killed those four people he was saying at the time, he knew it wasn't legal. And he knew that what he was doing or what he did was wrong. The defense shared some details about James. He has a degree in philosophy, was in the army, and the onset of schizophrenia showed up over time. He had three emergency detentions in four years before the shooting spree. The defense pointing to rambling journal pages to illustrate his delusions. He doesn't know what is right. He doesn't know what is wrong. delusions being the laser masters, controlling him and telling him In 2024, James was found incompetent to stand trial and was sent to a state mental hospital for treatment. In 2025, his competency was restored. Jurors heard from Sergeant Val Barnes in the morning, the AISD officer who was shot in the leg as he was driving away after seeing James. Jurors also heard from a student at Northeast Early College High School who took cell phone video as she and her friends were driving away after seeing James and hearing the gunshots. A crime scene specialist also testified, showing the shell casings from that scene.