Lawsuit Lost by Parents Of Colorado Theater Shooting Victim

The parents of a woman who was killed in the Colorado movie theater shooting have lost their bid to hold ammunition sellers liable for the attack.

Sandy and Lonnie Phillips, whose daughter, Jessica Ghawi, was one of 12 people killed in the July 2012 attack, had sued four online retailers that provided bullets, gun magazines and body armor alleged to have been used in the shooting. The federal lawsuit argued the retailers failed to prevent dangerous people like defendant James Holmes from buying weapons.

The Denver Post reported U.S. District Court Judge Richard Matsch ruled Friday that state and federal laws protect ammunition sellers from such lawsuits. He dismissed the case.

Holmes has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.