Judge in Colorado theatre shootings indefinitely postpones trial while more psych tests eyed

CENTENNIAL, Colo. – The judge in the Colorado theatre shootings case has indefinitely postponed the trial of suspect James Holmes so attorneys can argue whether he should undergo another psychiatric evaluation.

District Judge Carlos Samour scheduled hearings on the issue for Dec. 17 and 18.

Holmes pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to charges of killing 12 people and injuring 70 in a Colorado movie theatre in July 2012. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty and want Holmes to undergo further evaluation of his sanity.

The findings of Holmes’ first mental health evaluation, conducted at a state hospital, have not been publicly disclosed.

Holmes’ attorneys don’t dispute that he committed the shootings, but his plea makes psychiatric evaluations — which assess whether Holmes was sane at the time of the shootings — the most important pieces of evidence.