Post by LadyBlue on Jan 11, 2013 13:23:48 GMT -5
A judge on Friday delayed the arraignment of the man charged with the Colorado theater shooting until March despite objections from prosecutors and most of the victims and their families.
District Judge William Sylvester ruled Thursday night that prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence at a preliminary hearing to proceed toward trial on charges that James Holmes killed 12 people and injured 70 others at a suburban Denver movie theater on July 20.
Holmes, who is charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder and attempted murder, won't have to enter a plea until March 12 after the judge granted a defense motion to delay that proceeding.
The father of Rebecca Wingo, who was killed in the shooting, shouted "Rot in hell Holmes" at the end of the hearing. The judge reconvened the proceeding to talk to Steve Hernandez, who promised to refrain from further outbursts.
Defense lawyers didn't give a reason for seeking the delay in entering a plea.
One possible reason could be to seek a mental health evaluation by a doctor of their choosing. Lawyers for Holmes have said he is mentally ill, raising the possibility of an insanity defense.
If Holmes had entered an insanity plea on Friday, an evaluation would be done by state doctors.
abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/defense-theater-suspect-ready-arraignment-18185110
District Judge William Sylvester ruled Thursday night that prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence at a preliminary hearing to proceed toward trial on charges that James Holmes killed 12 people and injured 70 others at a suburban Denver movie theater on July 20.
Holmes, who is charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder and attempted murder, won't have to enter a plea until March 12 after the judge granted a defense motion to delay that proceeding.
The father of Rebecca Wingo, who was killed in the shooting, shouted "Rot in hell Holmes" at the end of the hearing. The judge reconvened the proceeding to talk to Steve Hernandez, who promised to refrain from further outbursts.
Defense lawyers didn't give a reason for seeking the delay in entering a plea.
One possible reason could be to seek a mental health evaluation by a doctor of their choosing. Lawyers for Holmes have said he is mentally ill, raising the possibility of an insanity defense.
If Holmes had entered an insanity plea on Friday, an evaluation would be done by state doctors.
abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/defense-theater-suspect-ready-arraignment-18185110