James Holmes, Colo. massacre suspect, was being treated by a psychiatrist, defense reveals

(CBS/AP) DENVER - The man accused in the deadly Colorado movie theater shooting was being treated by a psychiatrist at the University of Colorado, Denver, where he studied, according to court papers filed Friday.

Pictures: 12 dead, dozens wounded in shooting at Batman movie

The disclosure was made in court papers filed by defense attorneys for James Holmes, 24. The attorneys filed a motion that sought to discover the source of leaks to some media outlets that Holmes sent the psychiatrist a package containing a notebook with descriptions of an attack.

The motion says that the leak violated a judge's gag order in the case and jeopardizes Holmes' right to a fair trial.

"The government's disclosure of this confidential and privileged information has placed Mr. Holmes' constitutional rights to due process and a fair trial by an impartial jury in serious jeopardy," wrote the attorneys.

The motion adds that the package contained communications between Holmes and his psychiatrist that should be shielded from public view. The document describes Holmes as a "psychiatric patient" of Dr. Lynne Fenton.

Associated Press calls to Holmes' lawyer, Daniel King, were referred to the head of the Colorado State Public Defender's office, Douglas Wilson, who was out of the office and did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

A message left by the AP with Fenton's office was also not immediately returned.

The package was seized by authorities on Monday after it was discovered in the mailroom at the University of Colorado, Denver. It's unclear if it was sent before the July 20 attack at the midnight premiere of "The Dark Knight Rises" that left 12 dead and dozens of others injured.

Complete coverage of James Holmes on Crimesider