Lawyer: Movie shooting suspect mentally ill

CENTENNIAL, Colo. -- Attorneys for the suspect in the movie theater shootings said yesterday their client is mentally ill and they need more time to assess the nature of his illness.

James Holmes' lawyers made the disclosure at a court hearing in this Denver suburb, where news media organizations were asking a judge to unseal court documents in the case.

Holmes, 24, a former PhD student at the University of Colorado, Denver, had the familiar dazed demeanor he has had in previous court appearances. He is accused of going on a shooting rampage July 20 at a midnight showing in Aurora of the latest Batman movie, killing 12 people and injuring 58 others.

Attorney Daniel King made the claim about Holmes, arguing that the defense needs more information from prosecutors and investigators to assess their client. "We cannot begin to assess the nature and the depth of Mr. Holmes' mental illness until we receive full disclosure," he said.

King said Holmes sought out university psychiatrist Lynne Fenton for help. A hearing is set for next Thursday to establish whether there was a doctor-patient relationship between them.

Several spectators appeared mesmerized by the sight of Holmes, unable to take their eyes off him.

Mental illness "doesn't give him the right to do what he did," said Chris Townsond, who was in the theater and escaped unharmed. "I don't care how mentally damaged he is."

Twenty-one news organizations were asking Chief District Judge William Sylvester to scale back a gag order that bars the university from releasing details about Holmes. Arapahoe County prosecutors argue that releasing documents could jeopardize their investigation.

Sylvester's order sealing documents includes the case file, which makes it impossible for observers to understand prosecution and defense arguments on motions that are referenced by number only.

Little is known about how police say Holmes prepared for the shooting, or how they say he rigged his nearby apartment with explosives. Aurora Police Chief Daniel Oates has said the explosives were designed to kill anybody who entered, including first-responders.