Colorado shooting: James Holmes makes first appearance in court

Twelve people were killed and 58 injured. Eight victims are still in critical
condition. The youngest victim was six-year-old Veronica Moser whose
pregnant mother Ashley Moser, 25, is still being treated in hospital after
being shot three times.

Holmes, a former neuroscience student, is also accused of leaving his
apartment booby-trapped with explosives.

The suspect, who could face the death penalty, arrived at the court through an
underground tunnel from the nearby Arapahoe County jail where he is being
held in solitary confinement.

Judge William Sylvester, sitting in court room 201, read Holmes his rights and
told him there was “probable cause” that he had committed first degree
murder.

He said: “Ordinarily individuals are entitled to bail. Given the nature of the
charges, you are currently being held on a no bond hold.” The judge asked
him if he had any questions but Holmes had been instructed not to speak. He
did not even speak to Tamara Brady, a public defender who sat next to him.

Judge Sylvester made an order against Holmes trying to contact any of his
victims. He said: “You shall not harass, molest, intimidate, retaliate
against or tamper with any witness or victim.

“You must stay away from the homes of victims or any location where the
victims are likely to be found.” District Attorney Carol Chambers said
prosecutors have 60 days to decide whether to pursue the death penalty, but
will speak to families of victims before deciding.

Colorado has executed only one prisoner since the death penalty was reinstated
in 1984. That execution took place in 1997. There are currently only three
people on death row. Holmes will appear in court again on Monday when formal
charges will be filed.

He is being represented by James O’Connor, Arapahoe County’s top public
defender.

Outside court David Sanchez, 53, an electrician, called for the death penalty.
His son-in-law Caleb Medley, 23, was shot in the head and is in a critical
condition. His daughter Katie Medley, 21, a trainee vet, survived and was
due to give birth to her first baby any moment.

Mr Sanchez said: “They were on a date. They had Batman gear on and they had
been waiting for this movie for a year.

“I think this guy is demonic. I’ve seen a picture of him and his eyes are just
crazy, there’s something wrong with him. I think the death penalty would be
justice served.

“When your daughter and son-in-law miss death by just mere seconds it really
makes you angry..”

Holmes is not co-operating with police. Aurora police chief Dan Oates said:
“He’s not talking to us.”

Detectives have not established a motive for the crime but the police chief
suggested he may recently have undergone a relationship break up.

He said: “I’ve heard one morsel of information about a relationship that may
or may not be true. That’s why we brought in the FBI behavioural analysts.”

Holmes had posted a profile on an adult dating website and three women had
turned down dates with him in the days before the massacre.

Police also found a mask and poster connected to the Batman movie in his
apartment. Neighbours reported that Holmes had been due to be evicted from
the apartment within days.

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