Colorado Theater Shooting: James Holmes Charged With 24 Counts of Murder, 116 Attempted Murder

The alleged gunman's hearing will not be televised or photographed

Prosecutors in Colorado filed 24 counts of murder charges Monday against James Holmes, the alleged shooter who killed 12 people and injured 58 others at a midnight screening of "The Dark Knight Rises" in Aurora.

Holmes was also charged with 116 counts of attempted murder and possession of an explosive device after police discovered an elaborate web of booby traps in his apartment that they said was meant to kill any officers responding there the night of the massacre, according to court documents obtained by TheWrap.

The 24-year-old former neuroscience student is not expected to enter pleas on Monday. When he does, it could be verbally or through his attorney.

Also read: Colorado Theater Shooting Victims' Names Released by Coroner

District Chief Judge William Sylvester barred video and cameras from the courtroom at the behest of the defense, saying more coverage could interfere with Holmes's right to a fair trial.

Television cameras were allowed to film during Holmes's first court appearance on July 23. With a bush of dyed orange hair, he sat in silence and appeared despondent and widened and closed his eyes repeatedly, fueling speculation that he was sedated or extremely fatigued.

Police said Holmes began buying the small arsenal of weapons and body armor in May and June that he allegedly used to kill more than a dozen people in the crowded midnight screening of the final installment in Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy.

Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.

Comments