[Updated at 12:31 p.m ET] The suspect in Colorado shooting case has been charged 24 counts of first-degree murder.
Holmes was charged twice for each victim who was killed.
There are three different classes of murder charges in the state of Colorado. One set of charges is because Holmes is accused of shooting after deliberation, referring to the planning of the attack. The second set of charges is because he is accused of having an attitude of universal malice, manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life.
Holmes was also charged with 116 counts of attempted murder, one count that is a sentence enhancer because of violence and one count for possession of explosive devices.
Arapahoe County District Attorney Carol Chambers said last Monday that deciding whether to pursue the death penalty would involve input from victims and their relatives. A capital case would require a finding of either extreme indifference or deliberation.
[Updated at 12:17 p.m ET] James Holmes, the man accused of opening fire this month inside an Aurora, Colorado, movie theater, has been officially charged with a total of 142 counts, including first degree murder in relation to the shooting.
[Posted at 11:30 a.m. ET] The man accused of opening fire this month inside an Aurora, Colorado, movie theater will have his second court appearance Monday, when he is to face formal charges.
James Holmes is suspected of killing 12 people and wounding 58 during a Batman film premiere on July 20. He is also being held in connection with the subsequent discovery of his booby-trapped apartment, which authorities think he rigged before the massacre in the Century Aurora 16 multiplex.
Holmes is to be led Monday morning through an underground tunnel that connects the courthouse to the Arapahoe County Jail, where he has been held in isolation without bail.
At his court appearance, which starts at 11:30 a.m. ET, he is expected to face 12 charges of first-degree murder, charges of attempted first-degree murder and charges related to the booby-trapped apartment.
In his initial court appearance last Monday, the 24-year-old former doctoral candidate - his hair dyed various shades of orange - appeared dazed and did not speak.
Arapahoe County District Attorney Carol Chambers said last Monday that deciding whether to pursue the death penalty would involve input from victims and their relatives. A capital case would require a finding of either extreme indifference or deliberation.
Authorities have remained silent about a possible motive in the case.
More on Colorado shooting:
HLN: What's jail like for suspect?
Pastor: Where God was in Aurora
FULL STORY
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If GWB had a son, he'd look like James Holmes.
Actually he looks like Obamas Mother.
Come on CNN PLEASE STOP putting the suspects name we do not want to hear it. Use "the suspect" that is fine. You have given this guy too much time and the victims don't want to see his name.
Why does it matter how they refer to him? I doubt his name is hurting anyone, it's the memories attached to him, and those will be brought up no matter what they call him.
It's sad that a smart young man with such a promising future could do something so incredibly stupid! I pray for the victims and their family and friends, but I pray for this guy, too, since he's obviously lost his mind and he's only 24 years old! How does THAT happen?
To Ordinary Average American: How does that happen? It's the direct result of child abuse, neglect, mistreatment. All criminals were once a victim themselves, including Hitler. You can see from this guy's pictures that there's no soul inside his body... I wonder what happened to him when he was a little kid, and I do wonder why the media does not question his parents... I suggest you read "For Your Own Good: Hidden Cruelty in Child-Rearing and the Roots of Violence," by Alice Miller, and you'll understand better what I'm trying to say.
Did anyone else notice this guy looks nothing like the guy in the original pic they released? His eyes are a different color and his nose is off. I am really sick of hearing about this. really sick of it. I feel for the families, but these people should really grieve privately. I guess it is what it is. The media glorifies everything.
I did notice the different eye color; I though his eyes were brown originally...
this article said nothing about charges for booby trapping his apartment...
yes, it did... they are considering the charges. they just haven't made a final decision. mI'm going with 787 counts of attempted murder. Nice and arbitrary.
I'm surprise this guy wasn't living in a trailer. Trash!
He deserves to rot in hell!! I hope he burns.. Slowly. And dies! Just like he hurt the innocent victims.
2 things that our trigger happy friends here seem to neglect... 1) without compassion, you are just like him (spin it any way you like, if you can picture yourself taking another person's life, that is a problem), and 2) if we go willy-nilly putting down the psychopaths we have the ability to study, we remain potential victims. I want to know what makes this kind of thing happen. I don't want to be a victim. I don't want my children to be victims.
This is not a political issue, this is not an issue of medication, this is an issue where a man planned and plotted the death of innocents. It's not guns that are the problem, it's the lack of consistent 'laws' and oversite of them. When in one state all you need to do is provide a drivers license and fill out some paperwork, and another state requires a complete background check. However James Holmes is the killer, not some political movement, not the 'Church of Jesus Christ and the Later Day Saints', not the pharmacies, nor the NRA.
Its a shame this guy didnt do away w himself at the time as all the cost & continual heartache for these poor families will go on forever. The injuries these poor victims have suffered mentally & physically will impact them forever all because of some low esteemed nut case! I hope he gets the death penalty not insanity but he surely is crazy.
Can anyone explain Colorado law to me? If he killed 12 people, why are there 24 counts of first degree murder? And if he wounded 58, why 116 counts of attempted murder? Why double charges?
...oh, and, why no picture of the heavily sedated, orange-haired maniac today? looks too normal now that you've had his head shaved and he is alert? just curious.
That man should rott in hell for what he did he should get the death sentence now that would be justice for the victims and there familys he knew what he was doing when he did it he took school to learn how to make those trapps and bombs he was smart he pretending for insanity when really he knew what he was doing it was well pland and he should die for that im going to be mad if he dont get death sentence he deserves to suffer pain just like those poor people he injured and even killd and stop giveing him the satisfaction and glory of fame hes a looser and a killer.
I hear a lot of chatter about guns killing people. Guns are one way, how about when the Foster the People song came out? I was really surprised that there wasn't more condemnation about a catchy hit song that glorified this stuff.
Words can not describe how I feel. I do have great sadness for the victims and there families. We are all praying and grieving as a society in whole. You are not alone and we pray that God will grant you comfort. I believe in the justice and pray that this trial will be short and effective.
God bless