James Holmes Update: Colo. theater shooting suspect back in court for hearing on notebook he sent to U. of Colo.

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

James Holmes

/ AP

(CBS/AP) CENTENNIAL, Colo. - The man accused of opening fire inside a Colorado movie theater in July is in court today and his attorneys are expected to ask that prosecutors be penalized for leaking information about a notebook their client sent to the University of Colorado days before the attack, reports the Denver Post.

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

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. They said it did contain a notebook and burnt U.S. currency.

Holmes sat silently during the hearing, sporting a full beard. It was first court appearance since being taken to the hospital for undisclosed reasons last month. The hearing was re-scheduled because of the incident. Several Denver media outlets reported that the hospitalization was due to the suspect banging his head against the wall of his jail cell.

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.

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by Bull5hit December 19, 2012 7:54 AM EST: How did authorities and media outlets know of the "suspicious" package immediately after the shooting, yet it didn't arrive at the school until the Monday after the incident occurred? What you are doing is lying to the public once again CBS.; Reply to this comment


by Bull5hit December 19, 2012 7:52 AM EST: How did authorities and media outlets know of the "suspicious" package immediately after the shooting, yet it didn't arrive at the school until the Monday after the incident occurred? What you are doing is lying to the public once again CBS.; Reply to this comment