Public records provide limited information regarding James William Holmes' early life, including his upbringing, education, or employment history.

On January 8, 1981, James William Holmes, along with accomplices Hoyt Franklin Clines, Darryl V. Richley, and Michael Ray Orndorff, forcibly entered the home of Donald Lehman in Rogers, Arkansas. During the invasion, Lehman was shot multiple times and beaten with a motorcycle drive chain, resulting in his death. The assailants stole over $1,000 and several firearms before fleeing. Holmes was apprehended two days later and subsequently convicted of capital murder and aggravated robbery. He was sentenced to death and executed by lethal injection on August 3, 1994.