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Summary Colorado shooting suspect appeared in court for the first time on Monday.
A former doctoral student accused of going on a deadly shooting rampage at a showing of the new Batman movie in Colorado appeared in court for the first time on Monday, but he didnt seem to be there at all.James Holmes shuffled into court with his hands cuffed and his brown hair dyed orange-red the first look the world got of the 24-year-old since the Friday rampage that left 12 people dead and 58 others injured at a packed midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises. It was one of the worst mass shootings in U.S. history.Unshaven and appearing dazed, Holmes sat virtually motionless in a maroon jailhouse jumpsuit, his eyes drooping as the judge advised him of the severity of the case. At one point, Holmes simply closed his eyes.He didnt say a word. His attorneys did all the talking when the judge asked if he understood his rights.Prosecutors said later they didnt know if Holmes was on medication. Authorities have said he is being held in isolation at the jail. Holmes demeanor appeared to anger the relatives of some of the victims who attended the hearing. One womans eyes welled up with tears.The hearing was also the first confirmation that Holmes hair was colored. Soon after the shooting, there were reports of his hair being red and that he called himself The Joker when he was arrested. The Joker is one of Batmans enemies in the fictional Gotham and has brightly colored hair.It was not immediately known if he told officers that he was Batmans nemesis, however.Investigators also found a Batman mask inside Holmes apartment after they finished clearing the home of booby traps, a law enforcement official close to the investigation said Sunday on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the news media.Holmes, whom police say was clad in body armor and armed with an assault rifle, a shotgun and handguns during the attack, was arrested shortly after in the parking lot. He is refusing to cooperate, authorities said. They said it could take months to learn what prompted the attack.Holmes was brought over from the Arapahoe County detention facility and walked into the courtroom with attorneys and others. He sat down in a jury box, seated next to one of his attorneys. His entrance was barely noticeable but relatives of shooting victims leaned forward in their seats to catch their first glimpse of him.Some stared at him the entire hearing, including Tom Teves, whose son, Alex, was killed in the shooting. Two women held hands tightly, one shaking her head.After the hearing, prosecutor Carol Chambers said that at this point, everyone is interested in a fair trial with a just outcome for everybody involved. Chambers said earlier her office is considering pursuing the death penalty against Holmes. She said a decision will be made in consultation with victims families.Holmes is expected to be formally charged next Monday. Holmes is being held on suspicion of first-degree murder, and he could also face additional counts of aggravated assault and weapons violations. Holmes has been assigned a public defender.
