Colorado massacre suspect James Holmes asked for notebook back
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.
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.
A court public information officer confirmed that Holmes parents were in attendance at today's hearing.
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.