James Holmes, the suspect in Friday’s shooting spree in Aurora, CO, made his first public appearance in court on Monday.
Sporting brightly dyed reddish-orange hair, a maroon jail jumpsuit, and shackles, Holmes seemed sedated as he sat speechless for the entirety of the court’s session. With his gaze on the floor, the alleged gunman continually shut his eyes as Chief Judge William Sylvester spoke.
Holmes, 24, is being accused of killing 12 and leaving 58 people wounded at the midnight screening of the Dark Knight Rises. He is expected to face first-degree murder charges, as well as additional counts of aggravated assault and weapons violations.
District Attorney Carol Chamber added that, “the death penalty certainly will be considered in this case.” The DA noted that the victims’ families will be consulted in making this decision.
The court appearance was held to tell the defendant his rights in the case. He will return to court next Monday, July 30, where formal charges will be presented. Holmes will also enter his plea at that time.
Police arrested Holmes only minutes after he shot 70 moviegoers at the Century 17 Theater in Aurora, Co, on Friday. Since then, he has been held in solitary confinement at the Arapahoe County detention facility without bail. Judge William Sylvester issued an order forbidding the suspect from having any contact with victims or witnesses of the shooting.
While searching his Aurora apartment over the weekend, police found Batman posters and other mementos associated with the superhero. According to New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, Holmes thought of himself as “an arch-villain from the Batman mythology.”
A motive has yet to be uncovered.
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Photo Credit: The Huffington Post