'US theatre shooting accused mentally ill'
11 Aug 2012 9:03 AM IST
Attorneys for the man suspected of fatally shooting 12 people at a showing of the new Batman movie in Colorado said on Friday their client is mentally ill and that they need more time to assess the nature of his illness.
James Holmes’ lawyers made the disclosure at a court hearing in suburban Denver where news media organisations were asking a judge to unseal court documents in the case.
Holmes, a 24-year-old former PhD student at the University of Colorado, Denver, had the familiar, dazed demeanor that he has had in previous court appearances.
Holmes is accused of going on a 20 July shooting rampage at a midnight showing of the latest Batman movie in Aurora, killing 12 people dead and injuring 58 others.
Defence attorney Daniel King made the revelation about Holmes as he argued defence attorneys need more information from prosecutors and investigators to assess their client.
‘We cannot begin to assess the nature and the depth of Mr Holmes’ mental illness until we receive full disclosure,’ he said.
King said Holmes sought out university psychiatrist, Lynne Fenton, for help. He did not elaborate. A hearing was scheduled for 16 August to establish whether there is a doctor-patient relationship between Fenton and Holmes.
Twenty-one news organisations, including The Associated Press, were also asking Chief District Judge William Sylvester to scale back a gag order that bars the university from releasing details about Holmes.
Arapahoe County prosecutors argue releasing documents could jeopardise their investigation. Holmes’ attorneys want to ensure he receives a fair trial.
Sylvester’s order sealing documents includes the case file, which makes it impossible for observers to understand prosecution and defense arguments on motions that are referenced by number only.
Sylvester on 23 July also issued a gag order that bars officials at the University of Colorado from responding to public records requests concerning Holmes.
The judge said doing so would jeopardise the county’s investigation. Aurora officials have cited the order in declining to speak about the city’s response to the shootings.
‘It is performing our watchdog role to look at the process and try to assess for the public how the police have handled the case and assembled the evidence and assure for the defendant and the public that things are being conducted open and fairly,’ said Gregory Moore, editor of The Denver Post.
James Holmes’ lawyers made the disclosure at a court hearing in suburban Denver where news media organisations were asking a judge to unseal court documents in the case.
Holmes, a 24-year-old former PhD student at the University of Colorado, Denver, had the familiar, dazed demeanor that he has had in previous court appearances.
Holmes is accused of going on a 20 July shooting rampage at a midnight showing of the latest Batman movie in Aurora, killing 12 people dead and injuring 58 others.
Defence attorney Daniel King made the revelation about Holmes as he argued defence attorneys need more information from prosecutors and investigators to assess their client.
‘We cannot begin to assess the nature and the depth of Mr Holmes’ mental illness until we receive full disclosure,’ he said.
King said Holmes sought out university psychiatrist, Lynne Fenton, for help. He did not elaborate. A hearing was scheduled for 16 August to establish whether there is a doctor-patient relationship between Fenton and Holmes.
Twenty-one news organisations, including The Associated Press, were also asking Chief District Judge William Sylvester to scale back a gag order that bars the university from releasing details about Holmes.
Arapahoe County prosecutors argue releasing documents could jeopardise their investigation. Holmes’ attorneys want to ensure he receives a fair trial.
Sylvester’s order sealing documents includes the case file, which makes it impossible for observers to understand prosecution and defense arguments on motions that are referenced by number only.
Sylvester on 23 July also issued a gag order that bars officials at the University of Colorado from responding to public records requests concerning Holmes.
The judge said doing so would jeopardise the county’s investigation. Aurora officials have cited the order in declining to speak about the city’s response to the shootings.
‘It is performing our watchdog role to look at the process and try to assess for the public how the police have handled the case and assembled the evidence and assure for the defendant and the public that things are being conducted open and fairly,’ said Gregory Moore, editor of The Denver Post.
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