James Holmes, the 24-year old man accused of killing a dozen people in a Colorado movie theater early Friday morning, made his first court on Monday in a red jail jumpsuit with his hair dyed red. Many of the victims' families were there in the courtroom.
Holmes appeared before Arapahoe County District Judge William Sylvester this morning for a brief hearing. He was represented by a public defender. Holmes at times appeared to nod off, although it's unclear if it was done intentionally or not. Legal analysts believe that since he is able to communicate with his lawyer, he is coherent and sound of mind, therefore, should not be allowed to plead insanity.
The filing of former charges against Holmes will occur on July 30. Prosecutors are now considering pursuing a death penalty case against Holmes. He is accused of opening fire on unsuspecting moviegoers in the early hours of Friday morning during a sold-out midnight screening of the new "Batman" film at a mall in Aurora, Colorado. The tragic event killed 12 people and injured 59. Police said the alleged shooter was wearing a gas mask and dressed in all black.
Arapahoe County District Attorney Carol Chambers will decide whether to seek the death penalty for Holmes. She has prosecuted two of the three inmates on Colorado's death row. Chambers may not announce her plan at the hearing.
President Barack Obama traveled to Aurora, a Denver suburb on Sunday to offer comfort to families of the victims. He told them their loved ones would be remembered long after the justice system was done with the killer.
Among those dead from the tragic shooting, were war veterans, an aspiring sportscaster who had barely escaped a shooting in a Toronto mall earlier this summer, and a 6-year-old girl.
Holme's parents have not been co-operative with prosecutors. His father is reported to have already travelled to Colorado from their home town San Diego, California. It is unclear if he will testify, although parents are by law required to, only spouses have the right to not testify.
Holmes is described as a white male who is 6 feet, 3 inches tall, born on Dec. 13, 1987, authorities said. He has no significant criminal record and it is suspected he acted alone.
Watch the video of James Holme's first court appearance below:
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