James Holmes Update: Colo. judge rejects alleged shooter's challenge to state laws governing insanity pleas

(CBS/AP) DENVER - The judge in the Colorado theater shooting case has rejected arguments by lawyers for suspect James Holmes that state laws on insanity pleas and the death penalty violate the Constitution.

PICTURES: Colo. massacre suspect

Attorneys for Holmes contended the laws could work in combination to potentially cripple the insanity defense if the case ever gets to a jury.

Judge Carlos A. Samour Jr. released his ruling Wednesday in the case against Holmes, who is charged with killing 12 people and injuring 70 in the July 20, 2012 attack on an Aurora, Colo. movie theater.

Holmes wants to change his plea to not guilty by reason of insanity, but if he does, state law sets out some requirements that the defense claims violate the Constitution.

One requirement says he has to cooperate with doctors who conduct a mental evaluation, and if he doesn't, he loses the right to call expert witnesses about his mental health during the punishment phase of the trial.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

Complete coverage of James Holmes on Crimesider