Colorado massacre suspect James Holmes asked for notebook back

A sketch of James Holmes as he sits during his hearing on Dec. 10, 2012. Holmes is charged with killing 12 people and injuring 58 others during a shooting at a midnight screening of "The Dark Knight Rises" in July 2012. / Bill Robles

CENTENNIAL, Colo. Attorneys for Colorado movie theater shooting suspect James Holmes called the University of Colorado four days after the attack and asked the school to return a package that Holmes sent his psychiatrist, according to testimony Monday.

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The Colorado massacre suspect

University of Colorado, Denver, Police Chief Douglas Abraham said that the call alerted authorities to the presence of the unopened package in the campus mail room. He made the disclosure in a hearing in which defense attorneys were trying to determine who told Fox News that the package contained a notebook with writing that detailed violent plans.

Holmes' attorneys contend the disclosure violated a gag order.

Abraham and two other law enforcement officials said they didn't discuss the package with members of the media.

Abraham testified that burnt U.S. currency fell out of the notebook when he picked it up and shook it, CBS News' Julie Gautier reported from the courtroom. Asked if he wore protective gloves while handling the notebook, Abraham said he didn't "because I was careless."

In total, 14 law enforcement officers testified about their experiences with the package and notebook.

Holmes was in court with no visible injuries, sporting a full beard, Gautier reports. It was his first court appearance since being taken to the hospital last month, when he tried to injure himself by ramming his head into his jail cell wall, CBS News correspondent Barry Petersen reports. Holmes was hospitalized with injuries that were called not serious.

Arlene and Robert Holmes (Right), parents of James Holmes, exit their son's hearing on Dec. 10, 2012.

/ KCNC

A court public information officer confirmed that Holmes parents were in attendance at today's hearing.

• Sources: Colo. massacre suspect has made "half-hearted" suicide tries

Holmes is charged with killing 12 people and injuring 58 others during a shooting at a midnight screening of "The Dark Knight Rises" in July.

Holmes has not entered a plea and won't do so until after a weeklong preliminary hearing in which prosecutors will present evidence supporting the charges. That hearing is scheduled to begin Jan. 7.

[sweetsilv]

Sideshow taking over the circus. http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/12/10/colo-shooter-raises-cap-punishment

[just_is2012]

Its funny how the same people crying about killing this kid, are also the christian fundamentalist that preach peace, love and don't judge thy neighbor. America is so hilarious. Gotta love it.

[taxchurches]

I agree with booker59 in spirit, and in America we must remember that Mr. Holmes has not been tried, much less found guilty. Nor do I pretend to have been personally affected like many do by the Aurora shootings (or 911, or the sinking of the Titanic or whatever disaster is currently in vogue). That being said, I also can't deny the urge to kick that smug smirk off Holmes's face. It should also be noted, booker59, that just because it's one's job to defend him doesn't necessarily make it right or palatable. It's somebody's job to strip mine, pollute the air, and destroy wildlife habitats, too, but there's nothing "noble" about it. The problem with defense lawyers is that they routinely get people they know to be guilty acquitted, and they often do this by selling lies to a jury. So yes, American citizens are Constitutionally guaranteed the best defense they can get, though some of us would like that to be the best honest, most principled defense. But guess what? Some behavior is simply indefensible.

These comment sections are full of black & white opinions, and thoughtful people know that not everything---in fact comparatively little---is black and white. Here's another shocker: It's ok to be ambivalent. It's even ok to not have an opinion on every single issue.

[jmn122736]

This guy, and his lawyers, with help from the media, are playing that insane look to the limit.

The only place you will ever see a look like that is in the movies or other staged situations (like this one) Any juror who would fall for a sham like that shouldn't be there, period.

[jmn122736]

This guy, and his lawyers, with help from the media, are playing that insane look to the limit.

The only place you will ever see a look like that is in the movies or other staged situations (like this one) Any juror who would fall for a sham like that shouldn't be there, period.

[XTheOwl]

It's not staged. And I've seen a look similar to that a lot of times. My brother had schizophrenia and often had odd, plastic, and yes at times creepy looking expressions on his face, especially when he was in a situation that frightened him or involved a lot of people.

Mental illnesses are not a sham. Mr. Holmes' attorneys will have to provide medical experts that can testify to his diagnosis and state of mind at the time of the shootings. Then the jury or judge, whichever Mr. Holmes decides, will judge whether the experts are believable. But unless you actually know something about mental illnesses, especially the one this gentleman has, then either actually learn about it or keep your silly, inaccurate comments to yourself.

[dsmedley]

We should not even be dealing with this individual anymore. He is guilty as guilty can be. We don't want to be uncivilized, but he deserves what he has dealt out. As a society, we are letting him make us look crazy!