[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
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If Ted Nugent had a son, he'd look like James Holmes.
This guy is a total patsy... look at his picture. Just like Sir Han Sir Han.... a CIA mind control operation..... he did NOT act alone...
To what end?
I mean, I can somewhat see why with RFK; but what is the purpose of *this*?
And the CIA was interested in killing lots of people, why?...what exactly are you dosing and for what?.
If he were black, Al, Jesse, and all the non-working black community would be standing up for this guy! They'd blame everything and everyone for it instead of taking responsibility for the state of their community.
if he was black it wouldn't have taken ten days to file formal charges and we wouldn't care how smart he was or what was his mental state. But of course he's not black
If he was your son, he'd be called Jack Ledger jr.
What about the little girl who died? Her mother miscarried. Will he be charged for the unborn baby's murder or does Colorado not have a law for that like some states do?
If Sarah Palin had a son, he won't retreat, he'd reload.
its not the same person
One of the press conferences gave me the impression that at least one person died or was injured as a result of the scramble to evade the shooter. Has anyone heard anything of this?
rofl copter
I hope he is not found insane just like the Norway terrorist who killed 78 innocent people
Horrible what happened. It will be interesting to see how his defense is going to try to play the "insanity" card. However, they play it; it goes to show that it's RIDICULOUS that he was able to purchase the weaponry ONLINE! How is this ok? and how were no Red Flags raised?!!
-Twitter @gjarjour
This was a terrorist act. This was premeditated. This was against men, women and children. He was caught in the act and turned his apartment into a giant bomb. The media has given this murderer a face and a name. Creatures like him should not live in history books. Personally I'd like to not see my tax dollars wasted in a trial, just kill him already.
If I'm president, I Mitt Robme will protect your second Amendment rights and so would my running mate James Holmes.
I can't imagine a more pathetic country then the USA. Do you people ever ask yourselves why you have more murders per capita then any other country in the western world?
This young man is obviously very sick. The trial (which is going to be very costly) should be skipped, he should be put in a nice hospital for the rest of his life, and we should get on with our lives. The energy that we will put into being angry and vengeful (with no positive results at all) can be put to much better use. So very tragic as this incident is, DO NOT let the news of this tragedy sidetrack us from what is really important for us, such as our own families, our jobs/careers, and the election coming up.
ummm... I don't think so.
Not fair to the victims, all criminals are sick in their mind, should they all be put in a nice hospital?
This is the first sensible comment about this story that I've seen since it has happened. Thank you.
I agree-lets move on.....
We really need to rethink our legal system. When you are clearly guilty, like this guy, then there is no need for a trial. It should go straight to sentencing and in this case it is simple. Send him to a pin oil grave, straight to the gas chamber. I have no reason to believe he will ever be a productive member of society again.
clearly guilty ?
Not a single person in the theater can identify him as the shooter – he was covered head to toe – do we have a witness of him walking out the door and removing his armor while they watched ?
I know its difficult to comprehend but Where is the actual evidence that he did it ?