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http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/20/us/colorado-theater-shooting/index.html
14 dead, 50 wounded in shooting at Colorado theater, police chief says
By Chelsea J. Carter, CNN
July 20, 2012

(CNN) -- A heavily armed gunman killed at least 14 people and wounded 50 more during an early Friday morning screening of the new Batman movie at an Aurora, Colorado, theater, police Chief Dan Oates told reporters.
Police arrested a man believed to be the shooter in a rear parking lot of the theater, Frank Fania, a police spokesman, told CNN. The suspect was not immediately identified, though Fania said he was believed to be in his early 20s.
"He did not resist. He did not put up a fight," Fania said. Police seized a rifle and a handgun from the suspect, and another gun was found in the theater, he said.
 ::snipping2::
Chaos broke out during the showing of "The Dark Knight Rises" at the Century Aurora 16 theater when the shooting began, police and witnesses said.
Witnesses told KUSA that the gunman kicked in an emergency exit door and threw a smoke bomb into the darkened theater before opening fire.
One movie-goer, who was not identified, told KUSA the gunman was wearing a gas mask.
 ::snipping2::
Video at Link

Edit to change subject line.  MB

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-07-20/shooting-movie-theater-denver/56351098/1
14 dead in Colorado theater shooting
July 20, 2012

AURORA, Colo. (AP) – A gunman wearing a gas mask opened fire early Friday at a suburban Denver theater at the opening of the Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises, killing 14 people and injuring at least 50 others, authorities said.
The gunman, who is in custody, stood at the front of the theater and fired into the crowd about 12:30 a.m. MT at a multiplex theater in a mall in Aurora.
"Witnesses tell us he released some sort of canister. They heard a hissing sound and some gas emerged and the gunman opened fire," Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates said at a news conference.
FBI spokesman Jason Pack said there's no indication in the investigation so far of any connection to terrorism.
Aurora police spokesman Frank Fania on ABC's Good Morning America said he didn't know yet if all the injuries were gunshot wounds. He said some might have been caused by other things such as shrapnel.
Police, ambulances and emergency crews swarmed on the scene after frantic calls started flooding the 911 switchboard, officials said.
Officers came running in and telling people to leave the theater, Salina Jordan told the Denver Post. She said some police were carrying and dragging bodies.
Officers later found the gunman near a car behind the theater.
"A gas mask, rifle, handgun at least one additional weapon (were) found inside," he said.
The suspect was taken into custody, but no name was released. Oates said there's no evidence of any other attackers. There was also no immediate word of any motive.

More...

http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/20/us/colorado-theater-scene/
Witnesses recall chaos after gunman bursts into theater
By Mariano Castillo, CNN
updated 7:50 AM EDT, Fri July 20, 2012

(CNN) -- The first witness accounts to surface from a deadly shooting in Aurora, Colorado, painted a surreal picture of what happened inside Theater 9 of Century Aurora movie theater.
Several moviegoers said a man burst into the theater through an exit door near the right side of the movie screen. Dressed all in black, he wore bulletproof vest and a riot or gas mask.
Trey Freeman, was inside the theater, said he first thought the man might somehow be part of the show. The man threw a tear gas canister near where he was sitting -- but the danger did not register with him until the canister exploded.
Then, without saying a word, the man threw a second gas canister, Freeman said in a YouTube video.
"He looked so calm when he did it, it was so scary," he said.
The man in black waited until both gas canisters exploded, Freeman said. Then he started shooting.
He shot into the air first and then turned his gun on the crowd, said Dante Harris, another witness who appeared on the video.
 ::snipping2::
Video at Link

http://www.krdo.com/news/12-dead-38-injured-in-shooting-at-Aurora-movie-theater/-/417220/15615470/-/xx9iiu/-/index.html
12 dead, 38 injured in shooting at Aurora movie theater
POSTED: 01:29 AM MDT Jul 20, 2012
UPDATED: 06:12 AM MDT Jul 20, 2012

AURORA, Colo. -
12 people were killed and at least 38 injured after a shooting at an Aurora movie theater during the midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises".
The shooting happened at the Century 16 Movie Theaters at the Aurora Town Center in theater 9.

Authorities said a man wearing a gas mask and bulletproof vest appeared in front of the theater. He was armed with a rifle and handgun.

According to police, he set off a smoke grenade and then started firing.

Bullets apparently went through a wall and injured people in theater 8.

Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates said one suspect in custody. He is James Holmes, 24, of North Aurora.

FBI investigators have been searching the suspect's apartment complex. It was evacuated and authorities said they found explosives in his apartment.

A spokeswoman for Swedish Hospital said the hospital went on alert at 1:15 a.m. and began calling in extra staff.
Swedish Hospital received three patients, all of them with gunshot wounds. Two patients were in surgery as of 4 a.m.

Those victims are a 20-year-old woman and a 29-year-old man. Both were in critical condition and in surgery at 4 a.m., according to a hospital spokeswoman. The third victim was treated and released.

University Hospital said it has 20 victims with minor to severe injuries.

The victims taken to University Hospital are mostly adults, but some are teenagers. Children's Hospital told our sister station, KMGH, is treating six victims from the theaters. They range in age from three months old to 31.

A bulletin was issued to other police agencies throughout the metro area warning them of the possibility of similar incidences in theaters in their cities.
More...

http://www.krdo.com/news/12-dead-38-injured-in-shooting-at-Aurora-movie-theater/-/417220/15615470/-/xx9iiu/-/index.html

From Comments:

Chris Richey
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14 dead, over 40 injured and including children and they used flashbombs and mock explosives while wearing bulletproof vests and going through the theater shooting at random...here's the link to listen to the radio channel they are operating on

http://www.radioreference.com/apps/audio/?action=wp&feedId=43

This is horrific.
I am afraid there will be copy cats across the nation.  I pray I am wrong.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2012/07/witnesses-says-gunman-just-started-letting-loose/1
Liveblog: Federal officials identify 24-year-old suspect
July 20, 2012

Aurora police have revised the death toll in the Colorado theater shootings to at least 12 from a gunman who opened fired early today at the premier of a Batman film. There are at least 50 victims from the shooting rampage, police say.

Authorities initially put the death toll at 14.

A suspect was captured at the scene. Federal officials have identified him as 24-year-old James Holmes.

Update at 7:51 a.m. ET: NBC quotes two federal officials as identifying the shooting suspect as James Holmes, who was born December 13, 1987.

Update at 7:51 a.m. ET: KUSA-TV says Aurora police have revised the number of casualties in the Aurora shooting, and say there were approximately 50 victims with at least 12 dead. MSNBC also reports that police are now lowering the death toll to 12.

Update at 7:41 a.m. ET: Denver's Fox31 reports that the gunman opened fire in theater No. 9 of the Century 16 Movie Theater, the bullets pierced the wall and hit some victims in theater No. 8.

Update at 7:39 a.m. ET: The FBI says there is no indication that the Aurora shootings are connected to terrorism, the Associated Press reports.

.Update at 7:37 a.m. ET: Mitt Romney, the GOP presidential candidate, says in a brief statement: "Anne and I are deeply saddened praying for families and loved ones of the victims."
More...

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/07/20/several-reportedly-dead-injured-after-shooting-at-colorado-movie-theater/
At least 12 dead, at least 50 injured in shooting at Colorado movie theater, police say
July 20, 2012

Story is developing. Refresh for updates.

URGENT: At least 12 people have been killed and up to 50 injured after a mass shooting at a showing of "The Dark Knight Rises" at a suburban Denver movie theater, police say.

The suspect, identified by federal law enforcement officials as James Holmes, 24, is in police custody. KUSA reports that Holmes kicked down an emergency door at the theater, threw in some type of a smoke bomb and began shooting when moviegoers started to run.

Witnesses say they heard a series of explosions and up to 20 gunshots after the scene grew chaotic. About 100 witnesses were taken to a local high school to be questioned by police.

Police, ambulances and emergency crews swarmed on the Aurora, Colo., theater after frantic 911 calls around 12:30 a.m. local time, officials said.

Holmes reportedly fired shots inside the theater and fled to the parking lot and was confronted by police already at the theater for crowd control.

Holmes wore a bulletproof vest, police said, and was carrying a rifle and two handguns. The handguns may have been placed in the theater before the shooting.

 ::snipping2::

Earlier reports said there may have been a second shooter, but police believe only one shooter was involved, KDVR tells Fox News.

Police Chief Dan Oates said there's no evidence of any other attackers. There was also no immediate word of any motive.

 ::snipping2::

It was the worst mass shooting in the U.S. since the 2007 shooting on the Virginia Tech campus.

Some moviegoers said they thought the attack was part of the show. Then they saw a silhouette of a person in the smoke at the front of the theater, pointing a gun at the crowd.

"I told my friend, `We've got to get out of here,' but then he shot people trying to go out the exits," Jennifer Seeger told NBC's "Today." She the shooter made his way up the aisle, shooting as he went, saying nothing.
 ::snipping2::

http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/20/us/colorado-theater-shooting/index.html
Gunman kills 12 in Colorado movie theater
By Chelsea J. Carter and Michael Pearson, CNN
updated 8:49 AM EDT, Fri July 20, 2012

  ::snipping2::
Police initially said 14 people had died -- 10 in the theater and four at area hospitals, but revised the death toll to 12 later Friday morning, according to Lanigan.
Several people remained in critical condition at area hospitals, however.
Of the wounded, at least 20 were being treated at the University of Colorado Hospital, said spokeswoman Jacque Montgomery. All of the wounded suffered from gunshot wounds, which ranged from minor to critical, she said.
"They're arriving by police, by ambulance. Some are walking in," she said.
The victims being treated there ranged in age from 3 months to 45, the hospital said.
Denver Health Center had six patients from the shooting, one of them in critical condition, five in fair, said Shelly Davis, house supervisor.
Swedish Health Center spokeswoman Nicole Williams said her hospital was treating three people, two of them in critical and one in fair condition. A fourth patient was on the way, she said.
Parker Adventist Hospital was treating two people for minor injuries, according to a spokeswoman.
 ::snipping2::
Video at Link

Very sad to read this story.  :*(

Very, very sad. 

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/aurora-dark-knight-shooting-suspect-identified-james-holmes/story?id=16818889#.UAlUh2FfE
Aurora 'Dark Knight' Shooting Suspect Identified: James Holmes
July 20, 2012

The young man who is in custody after allegedly gunning down 12 people in a mass shooting spree overnight in Aurora, Colorado has been identified as local resident James Holmes, according to federal authorities.

Law enforcement officials and witnesses told ABC News Holmes, 24, wore what appeared to be a bullet-proof vest and riot-type mask as he opened fire in a movie theater with three weapons at a midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises." In addition to the 12 deaths, at least 50 people were injured, according to police.

A San Diego woman who identified herself as James Holmes' mother told ABC News she had awoken unaware of the shooting and had not yet been contacted by authorities. She immediately expressed concern that her son may have been involved.

"You have the right person," she said, apparently speaking on gut instinct. "I need to call the police... I need to fly out to Colorado."
 ::snipping2::

Video at Link

http://twitter.com/BrianRoss (http://twitter.com/BrianRoss)
2h Brian Ross ‏@BrianRoss
No shortage of gun shops in the #Aurora area, more than 20 listed plus pawn shops #Colorado #batman #shooting

2h Brian Ross ‏@BrianRoss
#colorado gun laws tightened after Columbine shooting with tougher background checks by Colorado Bureau of Investigation on ppl buying guns

2h Brian Ross ‏@BrianRoss
Suspect in #colorado #batman #shooting described as 24 yrs old, driving car with Tennessee license plates

2h Brian Ross ‏@BrianRoss
Live now on @GMA with the latest news from Colorado
2h Brian Ross ‏@BrianRoss
Our team investigating the suspect and his background #batman #shooting #colorado Doesn't appear connected to known terror groups

http://twitter.com/jaketapper (http://twitter.com/jaketapper)
Jake Tapper ‏@jaketapper
POTUS will address the shooting at a previously-scheduled 11:20 am ET campaign speech in Fort Myers, FL

33m Jake Tapper ‏@jaketapper
mother of suspected shooter James Holmes tells abc news: "You have the right person...I need to fly out to Colorado."> http://abcn.ws/NCBjTN  (http://abcn.ws/NCBjTN)

44m Jake Tapper ‏@jaketapper
wow. read the last blog post of Aurora shooting victim @JessicaRedfield > http://bit.ly/MwqIZD (http://bit.ly/MwqIZD)  chilling

56m Jake Tapper ‏@jaketapper
vividly remember arriving in denver a few days after Columbine shooting. hard to explain, but you could feel the whole area grieving.

1h Jake Tapper ‏@jaketapper
RT @shushwalshe: ABC News reports the suspect is James Holmes, according to federal law enforcement sources. In his early 20s.

1h Jake Tapper ‏@jaketapper
Aurora PD says suspect is an adult male Aurora resident in his early twenties.

1h Jake Tapper ‏@jaketapper
Aurora Police Dept says approx. 50 victims with at least 12 confirmed dead. At about 12:39 am police received numerous calls of the shooting

2h Jake Tapper ‏@jaketapper
RT @natalietejeda: My friend Jessica Ghawi killed in #Aurora shooting-an aspiring sportscaster, she'll be missed http://yfrog.com/oc7ruuhj (http://yfrog.com/oc7ruuhj)

2h Jake Tapper ‏@jaketapper
Those of you tweeting political cheap shots exploiting these victims - you risk being blocked.

2h Jake Tapper ‏@jaketapper
more POTUS (8) "...and we must stand together with them in the challenging hours and days to come." - END -

2h Jake Tapper ‏@jaketapper
more POTUS: (7) "All of us must have the people of Aurora in our thoughts +prayers as they confront the loss of family, friends+neighbors.."

2h Jake Tapper ‏@jaketapper
more POTUS (6): "As we do when confronted by moments of darkness and challenge, we must now come together as one American family..."

2h Jake Tapper ‏@jaketapper
more POTUS (5): "...and caring for those who have been wounded..."

2h Jake Tapper ‏@jaketapper
more POTUS (4): "We are committed to bringing whoever was responsible to justice, ensuring the safety of our people..."


2h Jake Tapper ‏@jaketapper
more POTUS (3): "...to support the people of Aurora in this extraordinarily difficult time. .."

2h Jake Tapper ‏@jaketapper
more POTUS (2): "Federal and local law enforcement are still responding, and my Administration will do everything that we can..."

2h Jake Tapper ‏@jaketapper
POTUS statement: "Michelle and I are shocked and saddened by the horrific and tragic shooting in Colorado..." (more)

2h Jake Tapper ‏@jaketapper
RT @GMA: We will have the very latest on the situation in Colorado, starting in 10 minutes on @GMA

2h Jake Tapper ‏@jaketapper
at least 14 people were killed at a late night showing of The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, Colorado. Tune in to @GMA for more--

2h Jake Tapper ‏@jaketapper
The president, on a campaign swing, is overnighting at a hotel outside West Palm Beach, Florida.

3h Jake Tapper ‏@jaketapper
At 5:26 am ET, POTUS was notified of the shooting in Aurora, Colorado, by homeland security adviser John Brennan.

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James Holmes, Aurora shooting suspect, was med-school dropout and loner, say neighbors
The suspected Colorado movie mass murderer was a loner and a medical school dropout who described himself last year as “quiet and easy-going” on a rental application.

By Larry Mcshane / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Published: Friday, July 20, 2012, 12:11 PM


Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/james-holmes-aurora-shooting-suspect-med-school-dropout-loner-neighbors-article-1.1118501#ixzz21BnYXwWU

James Holmes, a Ph.D Students masterminded the Massacre at Batman Movie Premiere
July 20th, 2012 admin

James Holmes, 24, a PhD student, broke hell loose during tonight’s movie premiere of Batman. He was a student of neuroscience studies at the University of Colorado from where he withdrew before shooting up “The Dark Knight Rises” screening. He killed 12 and injured another 50 during his shooting spree at the Century 16 Movie Theaters in Aurora early this morning.

Holmes, 24, moved to Aurora to pursue his PhD at the University of Colorado medical center, living just blocks from the hospital in an apartment that is now laced with explosives and being searched by Haz-Mat teams.

James set off smoke bombs and stalked up and down the aisles firing as many as four weapons at viewers. He was later captured by police in the parking lot while still wearing a

(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b104/Blondeonahd/In%20the%20News/James-Holmes-1.jpg)

   
James Holmes, a Ph.D Students masterminded the Massacre at Batman Movie Premiere
July 20th, 2012 admin

James Holmes, 24, a PhD student, broke hell loose during tonight’s movie premiere of Batman. He was a student of neuroscience studies at the University of Colorado from where he withdrew before shooting up “The Dark Knight Rises” screening. He killed 12 and injured another 50 during his shooting spree at the Century 16 Movie Theaters in Aurora early this morning.
 ::snipping2::

James set off smoke bombs and stalked up and down the aisles firing as many as four weapons at viewers. He was later captured by police in the parking lot while still wearing a bullet-proof vest, riot helmet, and gas mask.

The apartment complex where James is staying is home exclusively to University of Colorado Medical Center students, patients, and staff members, residents tell ABC News.

Witnesses in the movie theater said Holmes saw smoke and heard gunshots that they thought were aprt of the movie until they saw Holmes standing in front of the screen, after entering from an emergency exit. Holmes methodically stalked the aisles of the theater, shooting people at random, as panicked movie-watchers in the packed auditorium tried to escape, witnesses said.

Police said 10 victims died inside the theater, while dozens of others were taken to local hospitals, including a child as young as 6 years old.

A San Diego woman identifying herself as James Holmes’s mother spoke briefly with ABC News this morning. She had awoken unaware of the news of the shooting and had not been contacted by authorities. She immediately expressed concern that her son may have been involved.

Her response was:”You have the right person. I need to call the police. I need to fly out to Colorado.”

The woman and her husband later released a statement saying their “hearts go out to those who involved in this tragedy and to the families and friends of those involved. We are still trying to process this information and we appreciate that people will respect our privacy.”

http://usatrends.org/james-holmes-a-ph-d-students-masterminded-the-massacre-at-batman-movie-premiere/

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'Batman' Shooter
The Killer's Arsenal
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b104/Blondeonahd/In%20the%20News/0720-james-guns2-2.jpg)

http://www.tmz.com/

James Holmes Called Himself 'The Joker' after Batman Movie Massacre

By Maggie Coughlan and Mike Fleeman

Friday July 20, 2012 03:00 PM EDT
James Holmes Called Himself 'The Joker' after Batman Movie Massacre

James Holmes

University of CO/Splash News Online



James Holmes, the alleged gunman who killed 12 people and injured dozens during a screening of the Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises, described himself as the hero's arch nemesis, a police official says.

"It clearly looks like a deranged individual. He had his hair painted red, he said he was 'The Joker,' obviously the enemy of Batman," New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said Friday at a press conference.

The source of Kelly's information wasn't immediately clear – also, The Joker had green hair.  ::snipping2::

In a separate news conference in Aurora, Oates declined to speculate on a motive. He said that Holmes was believed to be the only suspect, armed with an assault rifle, shotgun and handgun as he opened fire on the packed movie house.

A total of 71 moviegoers were shot at the Century 16 Theater at the Town Center Mall, including one person in another theater by a bullet that went through the wall.


http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20613593,00.html

James Holmes
Cops Investigating
Sex Site Profile
(http://ll-media.tmz.com/2012/07/20/0720-james-holmes-orange-prison-wm-2.jpg)


A man claiming to be James Holmes created a profile on a popular sex website just days before "The Dark Knight Rises" massacre ... in which he described his penis as "short/average" ... and law enforcement sources tell TMZ investigators are now looking at the site to determine its authenticity.

"Holmes" created the profile on AdultFriendFinder.com July 5 -- and included a picture of himself with reddish, orange hair ... just as officials in Aurora, CO said he looked when he was apprehended Friday morning.

"Holmes" -- who used the screen name classicjimbo -- included a cryptic message on the top of the profile which reads, "Will you visit me in prison?"

 ::snipping2::

http://www.tmz.com/2012/07/20/james-holmes-sex-website-penis-cops/

http://deadspin.com/5927673?utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_twitter&utm_source=deadspin_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
Aspiring Sportscaster Among 12 Killed At Colorado Movie Theater; Last Blog Entry Was First-Person Account Of Eaton Centre Shootings [UPDATE]
July 20, 2012

Jessica Ghawi, who wrote and tweeted about hockey under the name Jessica Redfield, was among the 12 people killed early this morning when a gunman opened fire during a midnight screening of Dark Knight Rises in an Aurora, Colo., movie theater. KENS 5 in San Antonio received confirmation from family members. Ghawi had recently moved to Denver from San Antonio, according to the TV station. This was Ghawi's last tweet:
@jessespector MOVIE DOESN'T START FOR 20 MINUTES

— Jessica Redfield (@JessicaRedfield) July 20, 2012

Ghawi wrote for Busted Coverage and kept a blog of her own. Her last entry was an account of the Eaton Centre shooting last month in Toronto:
More...

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57476379/questions-remain-over-mass-shooting-at-batman-screening-in-colo/
Questions remain over mass shooting at Batman screening in Colo.
July 20, 2012

 ::snipping2::
Aurora Police chief Dan Oates said a total of 71 people were shot, including the dead. Of the 59 people wounded, some were critically injured, though Oates couldn't give an exact figure.

Jennifer Seeger told CBS station KCNC the suspect first fired up towards the ceiling, as if to scare people, and then started spraying the audience. He pointed the gun directly at her; she ducked. "He had a gas mask on so I couldn't see his face," she said. "All I smelled was gunpowder in the air, and gas was getting to me."

The suspect marched up the aisle in the stadium-style theater, picking off those who tried to flee, witnesses said. Authorities said he hit 71 people. One of them was struck in an adjacent theater by gunfire that went through the wall.

"He would reload and shoot and anyone who would try to leave would just get killed," said Seeger, adding that bullet casings landed on her head and burned her forehead.
Within minutes, frantic 911 calls brought some 200 police officers, ambulances and emergency crews to the theater. Holmes was captured in the parking lot. Police said they later found that his nearby apartment was booby-trapped.
Authorities gave no motive for the attack. The FBI said there was no indication of ties to any terrorist groups.

Holmes wore body armor, used an assault rifle, a shotgun and a Glock handgun, Oates said. He said investigators are confident the gunman acted alone. A second Glock handgun was found in Holmes' car. All the guns were purchased legally between May 22 and July 6 at three Colorado stores, CBS News correspondent Bob Orr reports.

FBI agents and police also discovered Holmes' apartment was booby trapped. Authorities evacuated five buildings as they determined how to disarm flammable and explosive material.

"It's something I've never seen before," Oates said.

CBS News has learned that some loud music blaring from Holmes' apartment around the time of the attack allegedly was designed to draw a noise complaint from a neighbor, thus luring police into his residence, sparking a firebomb and diverting resources from the movie theater.

A federal law enforcement official said the suspect bought a ticket and went into the theater as part of the crowd. He is believed to have propped open an exit door as the movie was playing, put on protective ballistic gear and opened fire. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation.
After initially cooperating with police, Holmes has since gone quiet, leaving authorities still searching for a possible motive, Orr reports. Police confirmed that he had dyed his hair red, CBS News senior correspondent John Miller reports. New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said Holmes told authorities he was "the Joker," a reference to one of Batman's arch-enemies. Kelly didn't reveal the source of his information, but he is reportedly close to Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates, who is an NYPD veteran.
 ::snipping2::

Video at Link

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2012/07/witnesses-says-gunman-just-started-letting-loose/1
Robots may defuse Colo. suspect's booby-trapped apartment
July 20, 2012

At least 12 moviegoers in Aurora, Colo., died early today when a heavily armed gunman opened fire at the midnight premiere of the new Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises. A 6-year-old girl was among the dead, and 59 people were wounded.

The suspect, identified as James Eagan Holmes, 24, a San Diego native, was arrested in the parking lot behind the Century 16 multiplex wearing tactical body armor and a gas mask. Police recovered a military-style assault rifle, a shotgun and two pistols.

Police say his Aurora apartment is "extensively booby-trapped" with chemicals and trip wires.

Update at 8:16 p.m. ET: The Medical Center of Aurora says it received 18 of the wounded and injured. One remains in the emergency room and seven were admitted, with two in critical condition and five listed as stable.

Family and friends of patients can call 303-873-5292 for information.

Swedish Medical Center also received victims, but it has not posted any updates on its "breaking news pages." The family-support line is 303-788-5000.

Update at 7:50 p.m: A law enforcement source tells CNN that Holmes' booby-trapped apartment is so intricately rigged and dangerous that robots may be used to disarm the flammable or explosive materials.

A decision about entering the apartment isn't expected until tomorrow.

"There's so much circuitry and collapsing circuits, it's a difficult process," the source told CNN.

Robots were sent inside earlier today to gather video.

At an evening news briefing, Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates said that the dwelling is booby-trapped with "various incendiary and chemical devices and trip wires," and that the operation could take days.

Four surrounding buildings were evacuated, Oates said.

Fire trucks that had stood by all day were withdrawn tonight.
More

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/07/20/police-work-to-id-victims-colorado-massacre-delay-probe-suspect-apartment/
Victim names emerge in Colorado rampage, as authorities plan to probe suspect's apartment Saturday
July 21, 2012

 ::snipping2::
Relatives of two of the dead confirmed late Friday that their loved ones were killed during the midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises."

The family of Alex Sullivan issued a statement confirming his death. He died on his 27th birthday.

Twenty-three-year-old Micayla Medek was also among the dead.

Her father's cousin, Anita Busch, says the sad news at least brought peace to the family.

The brother of Jessica Ghawi previously confirmed his sister's death.

The suspect, James Holmes, is in custody, though police have yet to gain entry to his apartment, which they say appears to have been booby-trapped with explosives. Police Chief Dan Oates said Friday evening that efforts to enter the apartment were postponed until Saturday, when more resources would be brought in.

"He looked like an assassin ready to go to war," said Jordan Crofter, a moviegoer who was unhurt in the attack early Friday, about a half-hour after the special midnight opening of "The Dark Knight Rises."

Holmes, used a military-style semi-automatic rifle, a shotgun and a pistol, stopping only to reload.

The suspect marched up the aisle in the stadium-style theater, picking off those who tried to flee, witnesses said. Authorities said he hit scores of people, with a few of the 70 victims suffering their injuries not by gunfire but in the ensuing chaos. At least one person was struck in an adjacent theater by gunfire that went through the wall.

 ::snipping2::
Authorities started to remove the bodies from the theater on Friday afternoon. Officials wheeled a black bag on a stretcher out of the front entrance, placing it in the back of a minivan. Ten people died in the theater, while two others died from their injuries later.

Oates said officers planned receive a list of those confirmed dead and meet with the family members of the deceased Friday night to tell them the fate of their loved ones.
 ::snipping2::

Holmes enrolled last year in a neuroscience Ph.D. program at the University of Colorado-Denver but was in the process of withdrawing, said school officials, who didn't provide a reason. The school later said in a statement that he left the program in June 2012. ::snipping2::

As part of the advanced program in Denver, a James Holmes had been listed as making a presentation in May about Micro DNA Biomarkers in a class named "Biological Basis of Psychiatric and Neurological Disorders."

In academic achievement, "he was at the top of the top," recalled Riverside Chancellor Timothy P. White.

Holmes concentrated his study on "how we all behave," White added. "It's ironic and sad."

From a distance, Holmes' life appears unblemished, a young man with unlimited potential. There are no indications he had problems with police.

Somehow, the acclaimed student and quiet neighbor reached a point where he painted his hair red, called himself "The Joker," the green-haired villain from the Batman movies, according to New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, who said he had been briefed on the matter.

Authorities say Holmes arrived at the theater dressed in black, outfitted in a gas mask, ballistic helmet, vest and leggings, black tactical gloves and protectors on his throat and groin. He was armed with an assault-style rifle, a shotgun and Glock handgun.

Police said he started his attack by tossing two gas canisters into the theater, where he had bought a ticket for the midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises," the new Batman movie.
 ::snipping2::
Edit to add publication date of article. MB July 21, 2012
http://news.yahoo.com/colorado-suspect-brilliant-science-student-230349806.html

 ::MonkeyNoNo::  

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/aurora-police-ready-controlled-detonation-at-home-of-alleged-shooter-james-holmes/2012/07/21/gJQALMQJ0W_story.html
Aurora police ready ‘controlled detonation’ at home of alleged shooter James Holmes
July 21, 2012

AURORA, Colo. — As the names of the 12 victims of Friday’s mass shooting in a Denver suburban movie theater were slowly released by grieving families, federal and local bomb squads prepared Saturday to disarm an elaborate set of booby traps set up inside the apartment of the suspected shooter.

A law enforcement official said this would happen in three phases, for the three types of explosives that James Holmes left behind in his 800-square-foot apartment.

 ::snipping2::

 The apparent intent of all this, the official said, was “to kill and maim any first responders or anyone that came in there.”   ::MonkeyMad::   The official said that authorities hoped to complete the touchy work of disarming the apartment by the end of Saturday.

Aurora Police Sgt. Cassidee Carlson said at a morning briefing outside the apartment building that the bomb experts may conduct “a controlled detonation” that could result in a fire, so fire trucks are stationed in the neighborhood. She said those living in the area would be notified via a reverse 911 call of a possible explosion.
 ::snipping2::

Video at Link
3 Page Article

not sure if posted,a live feed from cbs,of holmes apt,and the bomb squad
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=1n&tag=live

Thank you cw.  I worry sometimes others get ideas and will copycat what this guy James Holmes has done.   ::MonkeyNoNo::

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/07/20/police-work-to-id-victims-colorado-massacre-delay-probe-suspect-apartment/
Authorities disarm trip wire, first explosive deivce in Colorado movie theater massacre suspect's apartment
July 21, 2012

Authorities say they were successful in disarming a trip wire and first explosive device in the booby-trapped apartment of the suspect in the deadly shooting spree at an Aurora, Colo., movie theater Saturday.
 ::snipping2::
Aurora police Sgt. Cassidee Carlson says the booby trap was "meant to kill," the first person who opened the door to the apartment.

"This is some serious stuff that our team is dealing with," she said. Witnesses have reported hearing two small booms during the disarming process.

Holmes' apartment is believed to be loaded with explosives. Attempts to enter the apartment Friday were unsuccessful and police postponed efforts until Saturday.  The FBI, ATF and local authorities are working together to enter the apartment.

Sgt. Carlson said that authorities had broken the mission down into three phases and plan to carry them out Saturday.

"There are still unknowns, w're not exactly sure of everything that's in there" Sgt. Carlson said. The unknown includes jars that are believed to contain accelerates. Authorities say there are balloons filled with gun powder and bullets littered throughout the floor.
 ::snipping2::
Authorities say they will send a robot into the apartment.

The second phase will be to dispose of the aerial shells which will include placing the devices into sand trucks and taken to a disposal site for a controlled detonation. Authorities believe there may be up to as many as 30 shells.

The third phase will be the investigation of the apartment itself.

"There is no timeline, there is no end time,” Sgt. Carlson said. "We don't need to rush anything," she said.
 ::snipping2::
Video at Link

me to, a FYI,the joker never had red hair,it was the riddler
so holmes must not have boned up on,the batman characters
or he was hoping people would think he was part of the show

James Holmes Adult Friend Finder sex profile believed to be authentic. Will you visit me in prison?

(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b104/Blondeonahd/In%20the%20News/DkcUJ.jpg)



James Holmes Adult Friend Finder sex profile believed to be authentic. Will you visit me in prison?
Bookmark and Share
Scallywag July 21, 2012 2

James Holmes on adultfriendfinder with what appears to be poster in the background.

James Holmes was high on prescription drugs hours before shooting.

A sophisticated rouse or the read deal?

Authorities are currently in the midst of verifying whether a sex site profile, Adult Friend Finder belongs to mass murderer James Holmes this evening.

The tip off came after reddit userscame up with what looks like to be a profile of a man claiming to be James Holmes created days before the ‘Dark Knight Rises’ massacre.

The profile includes a picture of a man bearing a close likeliness to that of James Holmes albeit with red hair as he was described at the time of today’s arrest. Even ominous was a cryptic message on the top of the profile which reads, ‘will you visit me in prison?’

Holmes profile says he is 6’0 and single with an athletic body. Yet FBI reports at present have Holmes at 6’3. What is also off about the profile is the registered birthday: Dec 10 1987 despite official reports that Holmes’ birthday is December 13 1987.

Other corroborating features also include the following:

The username “ClassicJimbo” includes Jim, which is a common short-hand for James. The user lives in Aurora, Colorado. The user is a “Gold” member, which seems to mean he could not have signed up just today (if this were a Reddit hoax).

Notes Holmes’ profile:

 ::snipping2:: Edit to snip article.  TMI Folks can read details at the link.  MB

According to the website, “Holmes” last logged in to the site sometime in the past 3 days.

“Holmes” posted 2 different photos of himself — including one shot in which he is posed in front of an image of a woman while wearing headphones.

Time will tell if the above account actually belongs to James Holmes or whether it’s some astute photo shopping on account of some talented reddit users.

* MORE PICTURES BELOW

via reddit

James Holmes the Joker killer was a loner and recluse. Left for death scene with techno song playing over and over.

James Holmes said he was the Joker. Fake reality vs real reality

Ann Curry returns to The Today show after Batman Dark Knight shooting.

James Holmes mother was not surprised her son was the shooter. Had a hunch!

Batman Dark Knight shooter James Holmes was a PHd drop out. Described as quiet and easy going.
 ::snipping2::

http://scallywagandvagabond.com/2012/07/james-holmes-adult-friend-finder-sex-profile-believed-to-be-authentic-will-you-visit-me-in-prison/

James Holmes was high on prescription drugs hours before shooting.
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Scallywag July 21, 2012 0


It has been reported that James Holmeswas as high as a kite prior to walking into the cinema complex where Batman Dark Knight rides again was playing.

How high was he you wonder? Very high:

The report of “100 mg of Vicodin” is somewhat misleading, since all Vicodin pills weigh more than 100 mg. What the sources most likely meant was 100 mg of hydrocodone, the actual narcotic in Vicodin, which means Holmes took ten high dosage Vicodins, or twenty weaker ones. And yes, that’s a lot.

I'm not sure if this is real?

http://scallywagandvagabond.com/2012/07/james-holmes-was-high-on-prescription-drugs-hours-before-shooting/

James Holmes
Reportedly Took Drugs
Before Shooting Spree
7/21/2012 7:10 AM PDT BY TMZ STAFF
James Holmes took Vicodin 2-and-a-half hours before yesterday's shooting rampage ... this according to a new report.

According to KMGH TV in Denver, Holmes took 100 mg of Vicodin late Thursday night.

Meanwhile a man who lived across the street from Holmes told the NY Post he used to "see him smoking weed behind the apartment." He told the paper, "Nobody ever really talked to him. He was alone a lot."

Holmes remains in custody and is scheduled to be arraigned at 8:30 AM on Monday.

http://www.tmz.com/2012/07/21/james-holmes-colorado-shooting-drug-use/

Wouldn't that much Vicodin just make you sleepy or woozy?

After a neck injury, I told 10mg Vicodin.  It would knock me out for hours.  Unless this guy has some sort of strange body chemistry, I would think he'd be out cold.  But, then again, he was a whiz at chemistry.  Maybe he was cooking up his own special brand?  :smt102

The tmz photos look like he had shaved his eyebrows and drawn them back on.  I'm wondering how often his family spoke with him and if they'd noticed a change in him recently.  Something in this guy just wasn't right.

http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/npr/157154514/aurora-suspect-a-smart-and-quiet-man-who-allegedly-hid-a-deadly-plan

Aurora Suspect: A 'Smart And Quiet Man' Who Allegedly Hid A 'Deadly Plan'
Jul 21, 2012

He had to take much more than 100 mgs if it were Vicodin.  I'm thinking he took another drug.  If it was hydrocodone then that's another story.  It's powerful and a lot of younger people take that to get high.

100 mgs  of Vicodin IMO would have  put a person  out cold not pumped up ready for a massacre..

http://www.drugs.com/answers/what-is-the-maximum-dosage-for-vicodin-in-what-367721.html (http://www.drugs.com/answers/what-is-the-maximum-dosage-for-vicodin-in-what-367721.html)

Vicodin strengths come in 500mg, 660, and 750mg, the maximum dosage for this medication is 1-2 pills every 4-6 hours depending on severity of pain and that information changes with the max dosage allowable for the adult... which is not to exceed 1gram (1000mg)per dose/or 4 grams (4000)mg per day
 ::snipping2::

http://aids.about.com/od/miscellaneousmeds/p/vicodininfo.htm (http://aids.about.com/od/miscellaneousmeds/p/vicodininfo.htm)

Classification:
An analgesic (pain medication) that is a combination of the synthetic opiate hydrocodone and acetaminophen, commonly known by the brand name Tylenol.
Form:
Tablets of various dosages

    Vicodin: 500mg acetaminophen/5mg hydrocodone
    Vicodin ES: 750mg acetaminophen/7.5mg hydrocodone
    Vicodin HP: 10mg hydrocodone/660mg acetaminophen

Also known As:
Other brand names of the hydrocodone and acetaminophen combination include:

    Lorcet
    Lortab
    Dolacet
    Anexsia
    Zydone
    Norco

Dosages:
Dosages vary depending on the combination and the amount of hydrocodone and acetaminophen in each tablet. Typical dosing for Vicodin 5/500 is 1 to 2 tablets every 6 hours as needed.

Important Warning! - Vicodin and other similar pain medications in this class are intended for short term use only. Extended use can lead to physical and emotional dependence as well as physical tolerance.

The Dangers of Vicodin
Precautions:
People using Vicodin should take the following precautions:

    use should be avoided in people allergic to codeine or hydrocodone
    be aware of acetaminophen contained in over the counter products. Excessive acetaminophen can lead to liver damage of failure
    avoid alcohol when using hydrocodone containing medications
    don't operate motor vehicles or machinery when taking vicodin

Drug Interactions:
Caution should be used when taking MAO inhibitors or trycyclic antidepressants
Side Effects:
Several side effects can occur including:

    dizziness
    drowsiness
    lightheadedness
    nausea / vomiting
    itching
    constipation
    respiratory depression

Warning:
Vicodin and other hydrocodone containing medications are intended for short term use only.

Prolonged use or taking dosages greater than prescribed can lead to physical tolerance or physical and emotional dependence. Withdrawal symptoms can occur if Vicodin is discontinued after prolonged use.

http://pain.emedtv.com/vicodin/vicodin-dosage.html (http://pain.emedtv.com/vicodin/vicodin-dosage.html)


Vicodin Dosage
Before prescribing a dosage of Vicodin, your healthcare provider will consider how you respond to the drug and other medical conditions you have, among other things. The maximum recommended doses are designed to limit the total dose of acetaminophen to 4 grams (4000 mg) a day or less. If you take higher doses of acetaminophen, it may cause serious liver damage.
Dosing With Vicodin: An Introduction
The dose of Vicodin® (hydrocodone/APAP) your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 

    How you respond to Vicodin
    Other medications you are taking
    Other medical conditions you may have.
    

As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
Vicodin Dose for Pain
For regular-strength Vicodin (5/500 mg), the recommended dose is one to two tablets every four to six hours as needed, but not to exceed eight tablets in 24 hours. For Vicodin ES® (7.5/750 mg), the recommended dose is one tablet every four to six hours as needed, but not to exceed five tablets in 24 hours. For Vicodin HP® (10/660 mg), the recommended dose is one tablet every four to six hours as needed for pain, but not to exceed six tablets per day.
 
The maximum recommended Vicodin dosages are designed to limit the total dose of acetaminophen to 4 grams (4000 mg) a day or less. Higher doses of acetaminophen increase the risk of serious liver damage. Therefore, make sure to watch for any other sources of acetaminophen, including other prescription pain relievers and many over-the-counter products, such as Tylenol®. To be safe, all other acetaminophen products should be avoided while you are taking Vicodin, unless you are extremely careful to limit your total acetaminophen use (from all sources added together) to 4 grams per day. The acetaminophen content of Vicodin is 500 mg per regular-strength Vicodin tablet, 750 mg per Vicodin ES tablet, and 660 mg per Vicodin HP tablet.
 
You should not take Vicodin around the clock at the minimum interval between doses. For instance, even though it is okay to take a dose four hours after a previous dose, you should not take the maximum dose of Vicodin dose four hours around the clock, as this would exceed the recommended maximum daily dose.

 ::MonkeyEek::

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/07/20/police-work-to-id-victims-colorado-massacre-delay-probe-suspect-apartment/
All explosives removed from Colorado shooting suspect's apartment
July 21, 2012

All explosives have been eliminated in the booby-trapped apartment of the suspect in a deadly shooting spree at an Aurora, Colo., movie theater, and no authorities were injured in the process.
 ::snipping2::
Aurora police Sgt. Cassidee Carlson says the booby trap trip wire at his apartment was "meant to kill," the first person who opened the door to the apartment.

The Aurora police chief says the trap was meant specifically to kill a police officer who might have opened the door.

"We sure as hell are angry," Chief Dan Oates said about the trap being aimed at officers. Oates also tried to head off a mental incompetence defense by saying Holmes was deliberate and calculating in receiving numerous commercial deliveries to his home and workplaces over the past four months.

"This is some serious stuff that our team is dealing with," Sgt. Carlson said. Witnesses have reported hearing two small booms during the disarming process.
More...
Video at Link

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-07-21/colorado-shooting-victim-identities/56389076/1
Names of victims emerge in Aurora, Colo., theater rampage
July 21, 2012

http://www.chron.com/news/article/AP-source-Rifle-in-Colo-theater-shooting-jammed-3725743.php
AP source: Rifle in Colo. theater shooting jammed
July 22, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal law enforcement official says the semi-automatic assault rifle used in the deadly Colorado movie theater shooting jammed during the attack.

The official said late Saturday the rifle had a high-capacity ammunition magazine which, based on witness accounts and evidence collected at the scene, apparently jammed. The rifle's malfunction then forced the suspected shooter, James Holmes, to switch to another weapon.
 ::snipping2::
Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates has said a 100-round drum magazine was recovered at the scene of the shooting in suburban Denver. Oates said such a weapon was capable of firing 50 to 60 rounds a minute.

Police said Holmes also had two Glock pistols and a shotgun.
 ::snipping2::

http://www.co.arapahoe.co.us/Apps/InmateVisitation/default.asp?Perform=InmateSearch&lUser=
Inmate: HOLMES, JAMES EAGAN     
Booking Number: 201200009751
Total Bond Amount: $0.00     
Booking Date: 07/20/2012 5:35 PM
Charge   MURDER IN THE 1ST DEGREE FELONY -
Class of Offense   CLASS 1
Bond Amount   $0.00 
Scheduled
Release Date
Next Court   07/23/2012 9:30 AM
Date/Location  Arapahoe County District Court 7325 S. Potomac St Centennial, CO 80112
303-649-6355 

Police: Colo. suspect planned massacre for months
Associated PressBy MEAD GRUVER and THOMAS PEIPERT | Associated Press – 3 hrs ago
July 22,2012

AURORA, Colo. (AP) — Details emerging on the Colorado massacre suspect show a budding scientist, brimming with potential, who pursued a graduate program even as he assembled weaponry he would allegedly use in the deadly midnight rampage inside an Aurora movie theater.

James Holmes planned the attack with "calculation and deliberation," police said Saturday, receiving deliveries by mail that authorities believe armed him for battle and were used to rig his apartment with dozens of bombs. ::snipping2::

His apartment was rigged with jars of liquids, explosives and chemicals that were booby trapped to kill "whoever entered it," Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates said, noting it would have likely been one of his officers. ::snipping2::

http://news.yahoo.com/police-colo-suspect-planned-massacre-months-033025968.html

Colorado theater shooting suspect in solitary confinement, denies interview request

By Jason Sickles, Yahoo July 22.2012

CENTENNIAL, Colo.--Flags outside the Arapahoe County Detention Facility flew at half-staff Saturday for the victims killed and wounded in the Aurora movie theater massacre.

Beyond the jail's walls sits the suspected gunman police say is responsible for the rampage, one of the worst mass shootings in United States history.

"The inmates know he's in there, but nobody's saying anything," said a woman leaving from visiting a jailed relative. "I wonder if he's on suicide watch. He should be." ::snipping2::

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/denver-shooting-suspect-denies-interview-request-due-court-224509859.html

I've taken 1 10 mg Vicodin's after surgery and they tended to make me hyper.  But if I would think taking 100, would make somebody OD!

i think James Holmes slipped over the edge of reality,he became to
involved and connected to his field of study
-----------------
http://abcnews.go.com/US/james-holmes-video-colorado-shooting-suspect-abc-news/story?id=16830653
ABC News Exclusive: First Video of Colorado Shooting Suspect James Holmes Emerges
By CHRISTINA NG (@ChristinaNg27) and OLIVIA KATRANDJIAN
July 22, 2012
 ::snipping2::
Overnight, ABC News obtained exclusive video and photos of Holmes. The video was recorded six years ago
when Holmes was 18.
 
In the video, he is standing among his peers at a science camp held at Miramar College in San Diego talking
about "temporal illusions."
  ::snipping2::
"Over the course of the summer I've been working with a temporal illusion. It's an illusion that allows you to change
the past," Holmes said in the video.
 
He appears slightly nervous speaking to the group but also extremely intelligent.
 
This is how he was explaining his mentor's shared interest in fantasy versus reality in the video:
------
more vid and more at link

Here is the video:


http://abcnews.go.com/US/james-holmes-video-colorado-shooting-suspect-abc-news/story?id=16830653#.UAwRjaC6SSo

Most people said he was a recluse, not totally rare, but typical of these mass murderers. He had no record, sounds like a genius.  Ready to graduate with Phd in Geoscienc with the world ahead of him and just drops out suddenly.  I'm curious why his own mother knew it was him. What insight does she have to shed?  I guess it will come out eventually.

My heart goes out to the victims and family.  The 6 yr old. killed and family, just totally breaks my heart!   ::MonkeyMad::

Edit above.  NeuroScience, not GeoScience.

JMO
was what James Holmes did,a sick experitment in a sick mind
looking at what temporal illusions are,i noticed in several of the
articles that,the movie theater and film was used to explain,why
and what temporal illusions are .....JMO
 
Temporal illusions …
http://eagleman.com/eagleman-blog/147-brain-time
The days of thinking of time as a river—evenly flowing, always advancing—are over.
Time perception, just like vision, is a construction of the brain and is shockingly easy
to manipulate experimentally. We all know about optical illusions, in which things
appear different from how they really are; less well known is the world of temporal illusions.
When you begin to look for temporal illusions, they appear everywhere. In the movie theater,
you perceive a series of static images as a smoothly flowing scene. Or perhaps you've
noticed when glancing at a clock that the second hand sometimes appears to take longer
 than normal to move to its next position—as though the clock were momentarily frozen.

http://artesescenicas.uclm.es/index.php?sec=texto&id=232&PHPSESSID=azhwlexmmzvpjcee
Dominguez´s pseudo-scientific desire to understand the creative process through formulas
combining space, time, movement, and identity – always approached with humor and a critical
sense – is comparable to the film editors’ fascination for binding together unconnected shots
while keeping a certain coherence. What is fascinating here is not the result of a perfect continuity
from one shot to the next, but the action of stretching the limits of continuity as far as possible,
until he space between shots imposes itself, possibly opening the way to unknown perceptions.
But, unlike what happens in cinema, in All Good Spies Are My Age, time – and space – is not suppressed but invented. It is built from the combination of three simultaneous times: the performing time (Juan Dominguez sitting at his table), the cinematographic time (cards passing
on the screen) and, say, the real time, double as it is: chronological, objective on the one hand
 (the piece takes place from eight to nine); biological or subjective on the other (it varies, stretches, and contracts, depending on the individual mental and emotional experience).
So, when Dominguez puts a new card on the other side of the table asking HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU BUY WITH AN ENTRANCE TICKET? time or, more accurately, the duration of the piece turns out to be indeterminate because it is inseparable from all thefactors that go with the situation. A situation, namely, that becomes completely subjective and personal
 for all the spectators in the room. Time becomes something incalculable because we cannot separate t
he form of expression in the cards from our inner voice while reading. We are being affected by
these new space-times, sometimes imaginary, created by the uncertain tours of our thoughts

I'm actully surprised there isn't more conversation about this going on. I've watched it all weekend.  While cleaning, etc. (ok, don't have a life).
I would think this should become a thread in High Profile cases.   This is going to go on for sometime, as updates become available. 
Not for the killer, but for the victims, if nothing else.   JMO...

EXCLUSIVE: Massacre suspect James Holmes' gun-range application drew red flag

By Jana Winter

Published July 22, 2012

FoxNews.com

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/07/22/massacre-suspect-james-holmes-gun-range-application-drew-red-flag-for-owner/#ixzz21MvEqk8l

YERS, Colo. –  Less than a month before carrying out the midnight movie massacre that left 12 dead, suspected shooter James Holmes applied for membership at a private gun range, unnerving the club’s owner whose calls to Holmes’ apartment reached a “creepy, weird” Batman-inspired voicemail message.

“His answering machine message was incoherent, just bizarre, really bizarre -- slurring words, but he didn’t sound drunk, just strange -- I could make out “James” somewhere in it,” Glenn Rotkovich, of the Lead Valley Range, in Byers, Colo., told FoxNews.com.

EXCLUSIVE: Gun club application submitted by massacre suspect James Holmes

Email from James Holmes to gun club owner

“I told my staff, here’s the name -- James Holmes -- this is the person. If he shows up come get me. I need to talk to him before anything else,” he added. “I said, I’m not sure about this guy.’ It was kind of bizarre.” ::snipping2::


When Rotkovich’s wife awakened him on Friday morning with news of the awful tragedy, the name sounded familiar. As the story unfolded, he began to figure out that he had had a strange brush with the suspect. First came word the shooter’s mother was named Arlene and lived in San Diego, which matched the application’s emergency contact information. Then, he saw TV reporters near Holmes’ apartment building and verified it matched the address.

“I said, ‘Yes, this looks like it’s him,’” Rotkovich recalled. “Too many coincidences for it not to be him.”

Rotkovich told police about his chilling encounter with Holmes, and when he was able to give them previously unreported information about the suspect, they were interested, he said. He’s since told them everything he knows and provided them with a copy of Holmes’ electronic application to join his range.

Membership dues at the Lead Valley Range run $150 a year with a $100 initiation fee the first year. It was less than a month ago, on June 25, at exactly 5 p.m., when Holmes emailed his Lead Valley Range application, a copy of which was obtained by FoxNews.com.

Rotkovich says he always needs to get to know the applicant a little before considering people for membership at his family’s range, and Holmes’s application was business-like and devoid of any personal information. Rotkovich planned to vet Holmes in person before he would be allowed to step on the range and pick up a weapon, let alone become a member.

In answering the questions found on the range’s standard application form, Holmes listed his marital status as “single,” said he was not a member of the National Rifle Association and claimed to have heard about Lead Valley online. Staffers at the range said they did not know who might have referred Holmes.

He also checked off boxes saying he wasn’t prohibited by law from possessing firearms or ammunition; had not been convicted of any domestic violence offense and was not facing pending felony criminal charges or domestic offenses. He also said he was not an unlawful user or addicted to a controlled substance.

The one-line email to which he attached the application concluded with a curt and businesslike sentence signed in a way that further put off the rural Colorado gun range proprietor: “Cheers, James,” according to a copy obtained by FoxNews.com. 

"That also struck me as very, very strange,” Rotkovich said. “Who says ‘Cheers?’”

He called Holmes to follow up, he said, and to make sure he could attend the mandatory pre-membership orientation and safety rules training.  That’s when he heard the strange message, which when Rotkovich tried to imitate it, sounded like a mix of moaning in the background and movie-character-like exaggerated squeals and laughter.

“In hindsight, looking back -- and if I’d seen the movies -- maybe I’d say it was like the Joker -- I would have gotten the Joker out of it,” he said. “It was like somebody was trying to be as weird as possible,” he said.

After calling back two more times several days apart and getting that same message, he alerted his staff.

Rotkovich never heard from Holmes again.



Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/07/22/massacre-suspect-james-holmes-gun-range-application-drew-red-flag-for-owner/#ixzz21MvWVN9f

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3460_162-57477408/aurora-police-chief-no-other-person-of-interest/
Aurora police chief: No other "person of interest"
July 22, 2012

(CBS News) Aurora police chief Daniel Oates rejected media reports that a second person of interest is associated with Friday's massacre in Colorado. He said James Holmes is the only suspect but they are interested in speaking to anyone who knows or has had contact with Holmes.

"All the evidence we have, every single indicator, is that... this is all Mr. Holmes' activity and that he wasn't particularly aided by anyone else," Oates said in an exclusive interview Sunday on "Face the Nation. "We're building a case to show that this was a deliberative process by a very intelligent man who wanted to do this."

Oates said the person brought in to be questioned on Saturday "was a casual consequence."

"The relationship was real inconsequential," he said. "t's really an inconsequential matter."

Oates Also discussed the sophistication of Holmes' apartment which was rigged full of explosives. "I think it speaks volumes about his intelligence and his deliberation and his cold-bloodedness. I could not believe the pictures I saw from the robot about the way this thing was designed."

A computer was obtained from Holmes' apartment and has been handed over the FBI for analysis, which Oates said will be part of an exhaustive investigation.

As Holmes was dressed in armor similar to SWAT team members, Oates said he is "so proud" of two officers who spotted part of Holmes' costume that differs from what a SWAT team member would be wearing. "So kudos to my two cops who grabbed this guy and that sharp observation that they made immediately that led them to suspect him as being the suspect," Oates said.
 ::snipping2::

Video at Link

The Joker thinks he's in a movie: 'Crazy' behaviour of Dark Knight massacre gunman in prison revealed

The Dark Knight massacre suspect James Holmes is behaving in an irrational manner, showing no remorse and believes he is in a movie, according to prison employees.

Arrested without a struggle early Friday morning, Holmes reportedly has begun spitting indiscriminately as he is held at Arapahoe Detention Center and has been placed in solitary confinement for his own safety.

'He was spitting at the door and spitting at the guards,' said one inmate who left the jail today.
'He's spitting at everything. Dude was acting crazy.'

Furthermore, 24-year-old Holmes' lack of any form of contrition for his crimes is unsettling prison employees.

'Let's just say he hasn't shown any remorse,' said a staff member at Arapahoe Detention Center.

'He thinks he's acting in a movie.'

Placed on suicide watch and put in solitary confinement, Holmes apparently ate a breakfast of grits and sausage. ::snipping2::

(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b104/Blondeonahd/In%20the%20News/0720-james-holmes-orange-prison-wm-2.jpg)(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b104/Blondeonahd/In%20the%20News/article-2176377-1426A001000005DC-63_306x423.jpg)
'He was spitting at the door and spitting at the guards,' said one inmate who left the jail today.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2176965/The-Joker-thinks-hes-movie-Crazy-behaviour-Dark-Knight-massacre-gunman-prison-revealed.html#ixzz21Ne8Vd96
'He's spitting at everything. Dude was acting crazy.'

Furthermore, 24-year-old Holmes' lack of any form of contrition for his crimes is unsettling prison employees.

'Let's just say he hasn't shown any remorse,' said a staff member at Arapahoe Detention Center.

'He thinks he's acting in a movie.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2176965/The-Joker-thinks-hes-movie-Crazy-behaviour-Dark-Knight-massacre-gunman-prison-revealed.html#ixzz21NeEhzAn


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2176965/The-Joker-thinks-hes-movie-Crazy-behaviour-Dark-Knight-massacre-gunman-prison-revealed.html#ixzz21NdC3FGc

Aurora shooting victim Ashley Moser, shot in the belly, was pregnant with a child who also survived the attack: report

Pregnant 25-year-old Ashley Moser — and the living, breathing baby she is still carrying in her womb — somehow survived a vicious fusillade from a semiautomatic assault rifle that struck her three times.

By Erin Durkin AND Douglas Feiden / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Published: Sunday, July 22, 2012, 11:33 AM
Updated: Sunday, July 22, 2012, 10:05 PM

Out of Friday's “Dark Knight” rampage in Aurora has come news of a miracle: the unborn child of a severely injured victim of the massacre has survived — despite at least one bullet puncturing her mother’s abdomen.

Pregnant 25-year-old Ashley Moser — and the living, breathing baby she is still carrying in her womb — somehow survived a vicious fusillade from a semiautomatic assault rifle that struck her three times. But the good news was undercut by tragedy — Moser’s angelic, 6-year-old daughter Veronica had become the youngest victim of crazed, Joker-inspired shooting suspect James Holmes.

Battling for her own life and the life of her unborn child, Moser’s family did not tell her about  Veronica’s death until late Saturday. A solemn delegation — her own mother, a doctor and a chaplain — broke the unforgiving news. Bubbly, blond, blue-eyed, ice cream-loving Veronica was one of the 12 massacred innocents. “I want to die!” Mosley screamed out when she received the news, according to the Daily Mail. But she fought instead to live — and not only for herself. “I don’t know how, but she still has the baby,” her brother Robert Sierra told the Daily Mail. “[Saturday], I was told she had lost it and today it’s OK. It’s a miracle as she was shot in the stomach.” A local ABC News affiliate also confirmed the pregnancy.

 ::snipping2::

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/veronica-moser-youngest-theater-shooter-james-holmes-victims-aurora-dark-knight-rises-movie-screening-attack-article-1.1119600#ixzz21PYudNah

Edit to add link.  MB  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001925/


Schizophrenia


Symptoms

Schizophrenia symptoms usually develop slowly over months or years. Sometimes you may have many symptoms, and at other times you may only have a few symptoms.

People with any type of schizophrenia may have trouble keeping friends and working. They may also have problems with anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

At first, you may have the following symptoms:

    Irritable or tense feeling

    Trouble concentrating

    Trouble sleeping

As the illness continues, you may have problems with thinking, emotions, and behavior, including:

    Bizarre behaviors

    Hearing or seeing things that are not there (hallucinations)

    Isolation

    Lack of emotion (flat affect)

    Problems paying attention

    Strongly held beliefs that are not real (delusions)

I wonder if the defense will go with this since he thinks he's the Joker now

Colorado massacre suspect heads to court as Batman mask, poster found at apartment

By Adam Housley

Published July 23, 2012

AURORA, Colo. –  The suspected gunman in a massacre at a Colorado movie theater heads to court Monday as investigators reveal he is refusing to cooperate.

Holmes has "lawyered up," and will not speak to investigators,  Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates said Sunday.

"He's not talking to us," the chief said.

Also Sunday, investigators searching Holmes' apartment found multiple Batman-related items. A law enforcement source confirms to Fox News investigators seized a Batman poster and a mask connected to the Batman movies from Holmes' apartment, though they did not say which character the mask was of.  ::snipping2::

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/07/23/investigators-find-batman-mask-poster-at-movie-theater-massacre-suspect/#ixzz21RwPYFkp

Blonde,

My thoughts exactly right after the tragedy.  I know a little about schizophrenia and his actions COULD fit the pattern.  A good defender just might go with it, whether he is or not.

Maybe he will take his own life, and the tax payers will be spared.

I agree. I am with patients with schizophrenia four days a week and just from what I have heard, he fits. 

Colorado shooting suspect James Holmes to appear in court Monday morning

By Jason Sickles, July 23,2012

Holmes' public defenders enter the courthouse, July 23, 2012. (Jason Sickles/Yahoo News)

CENTENNIAL, Colo.—The public will get its first look at the alleged movie theater gunman Monday morning when suspect James Holmes appears in a Colorado courtroom.

Monday's hearing, which will be broadcast live on television and the Web, is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. MDT (11:30 EDT) and could be very brief. Under Colorado law, Holmes will be advised of his rights, but few other details could emerge.

A decision on whether to seek the death penalty could be weeks or months away, District Attorney Carol Chambers told reporters as she entered the courthouse.

"It will be a conversation we have with the victims before we make that decision," Chambers said.

Holmes, 24, is accused of blasting his way through a packed movie theater on Friday in Aurora, Colo., during a midnight screening of "Dark Knight Rises."


http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/colorado-shooting-suspect-james-holmes-appear-court-monday-111006043.html

I've wondered if he hasn't had some type of mental illness most of his life and it was just never diagnosed or his behavior was excused as part of his genius.  I'll bet something has been happening with him over the past year that worried his family but they couldn't get him to recognize the need for help.  The state of mental health services in this country is awful. 

Just saw the "Joker"s 1st appearance in the courtroom.  His hair looks ridiculous. But the most astonishing sight was his face.  No emotion, nor appearance of even hearing or interacting with the attorney sitting next to him.  He looked mentally ill, or medicated.  I see a sanity case coming.  I also wonder if he was just acting, to use that defense.

(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b104/Blondeonahd/In%20the%20News/0723-james-holmes-2.jpg)


"Dark Knight" shooter James Holmes has a date with a Colorado judge this morning ... where the world will finally get a chance to get a look at the man who shot 70 people in a crowded movie theater ... and TMZ will LIVESTREAM the entire event.

Holmes is set to be arraigned for Friday's incident -- in which 12 people were killed. He is likely facing multiple counts of first degree murder and attempted murder.

http://www.tmz.com/

Edit to add correct link to article.  Needs to be direct link back, not a general link, please.  MB
http://www.tmz.com/2012/07/23/colorado-shooting-james-holmes-arraignment/

I watch the very end of it.  He looked to me like he was thinking....I can't believe this is really happening.

Hmm no  spitting today, I wonder if they drugged him?

Colorado shooting suspect James Holmes appears dazed in court
July 21 2012
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b104/Blondeonahd/In%20the%20News/holmes5_uni.jpg)
Holmes, who was transported from from a holding cell to the courtroom via an underground tunnel, appeared dazed. His brow furrowed. His head bobbed. His eyes opened and closed often.

His hair was dyed red. His hands and feet were shackled. He did not speak.

Seated in a jury box next public defender Tamara Brady, Holmes never looked in the direction of a gallery that included about two dozen victims and victims advocates.

The preliminary hearing lasted for about 11 minutes. Holmes' next court appearance is July 30. ::snipping2::


http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/colorado-shooting-suspect-james-holmes-appear-court-monday-111006043.html

Raw Video: First look at Colo. Shooting suspect
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umffK0Wrwdk&feature=plcp
Colo. Shooting Suspect in Court Dazed, Sleepy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DN5AaG3ctoY&feature=plcp

Suspicious Package Reported At Anshutz Medical Campus
Package Found By Old Army Hospital
Posted by: Thomas Hendrick, New Media Producer

POSTED: 10:43 am MDT July 23, 2012
UPDATED: 12:17 pm MDT July 23, 2012


DENVER -- Authorities were called to the University of Colorado Anschutz medical campus Monday morning after a report of a suspicious package. ::snipping2::

The Anschutz medical campus is on heightened alert after it was revealed that the man accused of killing 12 people in an Aurora movie theater attended the University of Colorado at Denver and was studying at the medical campus. ::snipping2::

The university plans to hold a news conference at 1:30 p.m. to talk about Holmes attendance at CU. ::snipping2::

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/31295646/detail.html

James Holmes
REJECTED By 3 Women
Before Shooting


TMZ spoke with three women who were contacted by Holmes since he opened his account on July 5  ... and each of the women tell us they turned down the killer's requests to meet up.

One of the women tells us ... Holmes wasn't aggressively seeking out sex -- in fact, she says he was "just looking to maybe chat ... nothing sexual."

The woman told us she rejected Holmes because she just wasn't into him.  ::snipping2::


http://www.tmz.com/2012/07/23/james-holmes-colorado-shooter-sex-adult-friend-finder-rejected/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/22/pastor-colo-suspect-was-s_n_1693563.html

James Holmes' Family Pastor Recalls Alleged Colorado Shooter As A Shy Boy Driven To Succeed

07/22/12 05:48 PM ET AP

SAN DIEGO -- A pastor for the family of Colorado shooting suspect James Holmes recalls him being a shy boy who was driven to succeed academically.

Senior Pastor Jerald Borgie (BOR'-gee) of Penasquitos Lutheran Church in San Diego said Sunday he was always the one to start conversations with Holmes, who never approached Borgie and wasn't seen mingling at the church with other people his age.

Borgie recalls a proud, intelligent boy who was determined to go to graduate school.

 ::snipping2::

http://tinyurl.com/cuo3ooc
http://preview.tinyurl.com/cuo3ooc

Colo. shooting suspect used Internet for arsenal

By NICHOLAS RICCARDI
updated 7/23/2012 1:00:09 PM ET

DENVER — In a world where Amazon can track your next book purchase and you must register to buy allergy medicine, James Eagan Holmes spent months stockpiling thousands of bullets and head-to-toe ballistic gear without raising any red flags with authorities.

The suspect in the mass theater shooting availed himself of an unregulated online marketplace that allows consumers to acquire some of the tools of modern warfare as if they were pieces of a new wardrobe. The Internet is awash in sites ranging from BulkAmmo.com, which this weekend listed a sale on a thousand rifle rounds for $335, to eBay, where bidding on one armored special forces helmet has risen to $799.

"We're different than other cultures," said Dudley Brown, executive director of Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, which advocates for firearms owners' rights. "We do allow Americans to possess the accoutrements that our military generally has."

Gun rights activists like Brown celebrate that freedom, but even some involved in the trade are troubled by how easily Holmes stocked up for his alleged rampage.

Chad Weinman runs TacticalGear.com, which caters to police officers looking to augment their equipment, members of the military who don't want to wait on permission from the bureaucracy for new combat gear, and hobbyists like survivalists and paintballers. The site receives "thousands" of orders daily, sometimes from entire platoons that are about to deploy to war zones.

On July 2, Holmes placed a $306 order with the site for a combat vest, magazine holders and a knife, paying extra for expedited two-day shipping to his Aurora apartment. The order, Weinman said, didn't stand out.

"There's a whole range of consumers who have an appetite for these products, and 99.9 percent of them are law-abiding citizens," Weinman said. But he said that "it makes me sick" that Holmes bought material from him. He added that he doesn't sell guns or ammunition and that he was "shocked" at the amount of bullets that Holmes allegedly bought online.

Authorities say all of Holmes' purchases were legal — and there is no official system to track whether people are stockpiling vast amounts of firepower.

 ::snipping2::

A post from our CEO regarding the tragic shooting at an Aurora, Colorado movie theater.

On July 2, 2012 TacticalGear.com received an order from James Holmes, the alleged shooter in the Colorado theater massacre. His order included an urban assault vest, two magazine pouches and a tactical knife spending a total of $306.79. Mr. Holmes elected to pay an additional $15.63 for UPS 2nd Day Air to expedite his order. We processed this order as any other, and Mr. Holmes signed for the associated package on July 5 at 2:21 p.m. local time. ::snipping2::

http://tacticalgear.com/news/colorado-shooting/

Woman says photo shows angel in the clouds above Colorado theater vigil

(http://media2.newsnet5.com//photo/2012/07/23/angel-vigil_640x480_20120723160851_320_240.JPG)

larger img at link
http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/national/woman-says-photo-shows-angel-in-the-clouds-above-colorado-theater-vigil

http://tinyurl.com/d9kajwq
http://preview.tinyurl.com/d9kajwq

James Holmes, Aurora Shooting Suspect, Faces Death Threats From Other Inmates

The Huffington Post  |  By Alana Horowitz Posted: 07/22/2012 3:33 pm Updated: 07/23/2012 10:45 am

Inmates and prison workers are reporting unusual behavior from the 24-year-old sole suspect of the Aurora, Colo., movie theater shooting.

According to the New York Daily News, James Egan Holmes entered the prison dressed up like the Joker, "acting crazy" and "spitting on guards". The Daily News also reported that other inmates have threatened to kill Holmes.

“All the inmates were talking about killing him," just-released inmate Wayne Medley told the Daily News. "Everyone was looking for an opportunity. It’s all they could talk about."

 ::snipping2::

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1207/20/pmt.01.html

PIERS MORGAN TONIGHT
Movie Theater Massacre
Aired July 20, 2012 - 21:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

PIERS MORGAN, HOST: Tonight, breaking news: a Colorado movie theater massacre -- officially now the largest mass shooting in U.S. history. A gunman opens fire at a midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He was not saying anything at all. He was just quiet. He was literally shooting everyone. Like it was, like, hunting season or something.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MORGAN: At least 12 dead, 59 more injured, including a 4-month- old baby.

Is this a face of evil? Why would anyone commit this atrocity?

Plus, chilling stories from survivors.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This one guy, he was crawling on all fours and it seemed as if he had been shot in his back and he was just gasping for air, it was terrible.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MORGAN: The battle wages again over America's gun laws. The shooter bought all four of his weapons legally in the last two months. Is there anything could be done to prevent it?

This is PIERS MORGAN TONIGHT.

Good evening.

America is in shock tonight over an act of evil that in seconds left dozen people dead and 59 others injured. It's the largest mass shooting in the history of United States. All the victims wanted was to see the new Batman film -- a packed theater, nowhere to run or escape from this maniac.

We'll go live to the scene of the horror, that theater at suburban Denver. Police say the killer is James Holmes, a 24-year-old PhD student who after going his murder spree calmly surrendered. The vigil for the victims is being held right now. And we're moments away from a news conference by officials in Aurora, Colorado, which we will go live as soon as it begins.

We're going to have all the latest developments on this tragedy tonight. The latest on the suspect, the survivors, the motive.

But, first, we need to listen to what New York Mayor Bloomberg said today about the massacre.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG (I), NEW YORK: Where you stand on the Second Amendment, no matter where you stand on guns, we have a right to hear from both of them concretely. Not just in general. Specifically, what are they going to do about guns? And maybe every governor should stand up.

But, in the end, it is really the leadership at a national level, which is whoever's going to be president of the United States starting next January 1st -- what are they going to do about guns?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MORGAN: I agree with Mayor Bloomberg. I fully respect the Second Amendment and every American's desire to defend themselves in their homes. But I simply don't believe the framers of the Constitution would have ever envisioned this disturbed young man utilizing his right to bear arms by legally four guns, including assault weapon capable of firing hundreds of rounds a minute, specifically to murder fellow Americans.

There are now almost as many guns in America as there are people, and this could only surely lead to more senseless death. Something has to be done. And that debate will start tonight.

But, first, we start with our focus on the victims. With me now is a family who was in the theater and survived the massacre.

Patricia Legarreta, Jamie Rohrs, and their 4-year-old daughter and baby son were at the premiere when the killer opened fire. They join me now for an exclusive interview.

Welcome to you both. An appalling day for you, for those who lost their lives, for America. Tell me what happened. What was the first that you knew that this was going down?

PATRICIA LEGARRETA, SHOOTING VICTIM: You -- the first thing that happened is he came in through the exit door, through, you know, what is being said is tear gas. It was thrown across the theater and it popped and you see the smoke coming out. It almost hit somebody. At first you're thinking, oh, it's a prank, it's a joke. And he walks out and comes back in and next thing you know, you just see the flashes just coming out of his gun and that's when it was like this isn't a joke, this is real.

As that was happening, Jamie yelled --

MORGAN: Patricia, I'm terribly sorry, I have to hold you for one moment, because the press conference --

LEGARRETA: OK.

MORGAN: -- down in Aurora is about to start.

We're going to go live to the press conference and hear the very latest on the investigation I'll come straight back to you and Jamie.

CHIEF DAN OATES, AURORA POLICE DEPT.: Our governor, John Hickenlooper, makes remarks. Governor Hickenlooper?

GOV. JOHN HICKENLOOPER (D), COLORADO: So this has been a long day and I appreciate how long a day it's been for all of you in the media. We are seeing the community rise up and do the things that great communities do.

We're dealing with this. Seventy casualties, not 71, there was a double reporting there, but the stories that are going to come out of this of how in a remarkably short time the police force in Aurora responded to this situation. Their efficiency in making an apprehension, the ability of our hospitals in remarkably short order to take care of al of these casualties, in an incredible system -- not to say -- I'm not saying it was all perfect but as this story is told, it will be remarkable.

As of 3:30, we still had 30 patients in hospitals, 11 still in critical condition. You know, this is -- it's an act that defies description. You can't connect emotions that we commonly think of.

I mean, everyone I've talked to all day is filled with an anger that can't find focus. And I think the challenge for all of us as a community is to recognize we have to move past that.

Obviously there's going to be a level of accountability to this. Individual is clearly disturbed. Either we will or we will not know exactly the roots of that, of how deep that disturbance is. We know how deep it is but where it came from.

But we are clear that we are going to rise back and lift ourselves above this. I visited several of the families in the hospital and we're going to have obviously some -- when you have that many people that have been injured, you're going to have people with lifetime disabilities.

And we're already as a community beginning to come together. Givingfirst.org, within three hours, we had $125,000 of matching gifts so as they raise money this is through one of the hospitals but all the hospitals are going to participate in this, to make sure the victims of this senseless act of violence that -- again, there just aren't words.

We want to do everything we can to make sure the victims are brought back in every way and supported in every way that we can. We're not going to let this community be defined by such a -- you know, if I had more sleep I might have a better vocabulary.

Anyway, I do think that the first responders were unbelievable, and their ability to work together and coordinate. Our support from the federal government has been incredible. Secretary Napolitano called me from Homeland Security earlier this morning and wanted to do everything she could. She was a little late because President Obama called me before that. But not until after he called Mayor Hogan. He called the police chief.

He called -- the whole country recognizes that this is something we don't accept, we can't explain at this point. But we're not -- we're not going to just let it happen to us. We're going to -- we're going to push back.

I also -- Mayor Hogan's not here. His leadership has been remarkable. And in times like this, you see, you know, what is the true quality of people and how can they deal with situations that, you know, there's no training, there's no way you can prepare for something like this.

I think the way he's handled all the integration of the different efforts between the federal and the state, the county and the local, it really is a remarkable skill. He's been able to keep everybody focused together. No one's pointing fingers. Everybody's moving forward to the next step. All right, this has happened what do we do next?

So in that sense -- and Chief Oates is unbelievable. I don't think I've ever done this but I think you should all give Chief Oates a hand.

(APPLAUSE)

HICKENLOOPER: So now, I'll give it back to Chief Oates.

OATES: OK, thank you, Governor. I want to point out that standing behind me are quite a few of our elected city officials and our state representatives. Congressman Perlmutter is also with us. Also joining me here is special agent Jimmy Yacone of the FBI and special agent Andrew Traver of ATF.

And our federal partners have been absolutely tremendous in supporting us. I want to start by saying how proud I am of the men and women of the Aurora Police Department and fire department and Mike Garcia from the fire department, the chief of the fire department, is also here with us.

OK. We got to straighten out some numbers. There are a total of 70 injured in this event, and as of this time, 12 dead. Still the number is 10 in the theater and the last of the bodies were removed from the theater a little after 5:00 this afternoon.

I want to correct one thing. I think earlier today I said the others were all hit by gunfire. I now know a handful of the people who were brought to area hospitals were not hit by gunfire but suffered other injured as a result of the chaos and trauma in the theater. And I can't tell you how many that is but it's a small number. Nearly everyone was shot.

Little information about our subject and the weapons he obtained. In the last 60 days, he purchased four guns at local metro guns shops. And through the Internet, he purchased over 6,000 rounds of ammunition, more than 3,000 rounds of 223, ammunition for the assault rifle, 3,000 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition for the two Glocks in his possession, and 300 rounds for the 12 gauge shotgun.

Also through the internet, he purchased multiple magazines for the 223 caliber assault rifle, including one 100-round drum magazine, which was recovered from the scene. I've been asked, was the weapon automatic or semiautomatic. I can't answer that question now. Even if it was semiautomatic, I'm told by experts that with that drum magazine, he could have gotten off 50 to 60 rounds, even if it was semiautomatic, within one minute. And as far as we know, it was a pretty rapid pace of fire in that theater.

This evening at 4:00, members of the police department and the many supporting agencies that have provided victim service advocates to support us met with approximately seven family and friends -- 70 members of family and friends who have not had an accounting of their missing loved ones. We met with them for approximately 90 minutes. We discussed all our efforts to identify the 10 bodies in the theater. And did the best we could to deal with their grief and anguish.

We are hopeful that sometime in the next hour we will get a confirmed list of the ten deceased and we will begin the agonizing process of meeting with those families and confirming what has happened to their loved ones. I can't emphasize enough the support of all our colleagues in local law enforcement in handing that extraordinarily difficult task.

We're also aided by our own police department psychologists. Aurora Public Schools has made available two high schools for tomorrow beginning at 9:00 a.m. for professional grief counseling and other resources, including the resources of aurora mental health and the red cross. Those two schools will open at 9:00 a.m. Superintendent John Barry was with us to meet with the families.

And the support of the superintendent and the Aurora Public Schools has been absolutely tremendous.

In addition, I'll talk a little about the Paris Street location. We evacuated five apartment buildings including the apartment building of the subject. Those evacuees have been staying at central high school, again, with the support of Aurora Public Schools.

With regard to the Paris location, it is a very vexing problem how to enter that apartment safely. I personally have never seen anything like what the pictures show us is in there. I'm a layman when it comes to bomb stuff. I see an awful lot of wires, trip wires, jars full of ammunition, jars full of liquid, some things that look like mortar rounds. We have a lot of challenge, to get in there safely.

We decided this evening to postpone action on that until tomorrow sometime. All our folks were pretty well taxed and we needed a break and we're also, with the help of the federal government, we're bringing in some extra resources to consult on exactly how to deal with that problem.

We're hopeful that we will address and resolve that problem tomorrow. Unfortunately, this means that the families that were evacuated have to spend an evening in the evacuation center. We are at this time allowing families, one by one, to go back into four of the five buildings to retrieve necessities like medication and those kinds of things. And, again, our hope is that we'll resolve that tomorrow.

With regard to the investigation, I can tell you, we know a little bit more about our subject. We know he recently left the University of Colorado Medical School neuroscience program on a voluntary -- it was a voluntary separation. We know he hails originally from Riverside, California and attended U.C. California, Riverside campus. Neighbors report to us that he lived alone and he kept to himself.

I have the same cautions about the social media. One of the things modern investigators do is watch what appears on the Internet to see what clues we can find and we know you do that too. OK? And in the era of blogs and everything else, we just caution you that everything you read may not be true. OK?

With regard to our theaters in Aurora. We are -- there are four theaters in Aurora that show this movie. Until further notice, we will have some extra security at those theaters out of an abundance of caution.

I will tell you, I've been getting phone calls from some colleagues around the country asking about this. And I told them I don't know what you should do at your theaters but that's what we're going to do in Aurora for a while. We are fully staffed in all our districts. We're on 12-hour shifts because of the demands to support the crime scene and the new event on Paris.

And thanks to the Arapahoe County SWAT team and the Denver Police Department SWAT team. If we have any demand over the days for those assets, since we are fully taxed, we will turn to our colleagues to help us.

The Aurora town center will be open tomorrow. They've been wonderfully cooperative with the Aurora Police Department. I have a new tip line. If there are further tips that anyone wants to call, it's the crime stoppers number, 720-913-STOP, or 720-913-7867.

We're also offering a general information line for the community. Not for the press. I think the press knows how to reach us. This is for the community if they have questions. The general information number is 303-739-1862.


Our suspect is now in Arapahoe County jail. I just got a call from the sheriff. He asked me if I wanted his picture released. I said no. So I won't be releasing his picture for investigative reasons.

He will be arraigned or have first court appearance 8:30 a.m. on Monday in Arapahoe County district court. There has been an overwhelming outpouring of support for our families, for or victims, for our community, for our cops, for our firefighters, for our EMS people, for our investigators, by this entire community. We've received concern and condolences -- just remarkable.

Our community restaurants started pouring pizzas and food into our station houses here. Just to show support for our police department. And it's just absolutely wonderful.

I have an announcement on behalf of the city, Sunday at 6:30 p.m., there will be a prayer vigil right here in front of the Aurora Municipal Center. We know the governor and the mayor will speak and there will be an appropriate moment for reflection for our community.

Finally, I want to offer a huge thanks to our coroner, Michael Doverson (ph), for all he has done, to help us with the crime scene today and to expedite the recovery and identification of the bodies which is so, so important to our community.

And in terms of the next press briefing, we expect to be able to brief you tomorrow afternoon right here at 2:00 p.m. I will take questions.

REPORTER: Any sign of a motive at this point? Has he said anything about why he did this?

OATES: If we have information about a motive, we will not share it with you. We'd let that play out in the course of the criminal prosecution.

REPORTER: He's talking to you though?

OATES: I won't talk about his admissions.

Yes?

REPORTER: (INAUDIBLE) that perfectly legal?

OATES: My understanding is all the weapons he possessed, he possessed legally. And all the clips he possessed, he possessed legally. And all the ammunition he possessed, he possessed legally.

Yes?

(INAUDIBLE)

OATES: No, I won't discuss how he got in. That's part of our investigation. As much as I'd like to be cooperative with you folks, the most important thing is that there is justice for these victims. And that justice will occur in a courtroom.

So whenever I say no here, it's because there's a higher reason and that is to make sure he is prosecuted correctly. Yes, ma'am?

(INAUDIBLE)

OATES: No, I can't.

(INAUDIBLE)

OATES: I gave a description this morning of his appearance. He was dressed all in black. For those of you who don't have this -- entirely in black, wearing a gas mask, a ballistic helmet, a tactical ballistic vest. Tactical means places to put all kinds of gear and clips. In addition, it was bulletproof, or bullet resistant.

He was wearing ballistic legging in case he took a round in the legs. He was wearing throat protection and groin protection, and he was wearing black tactical gloves. So that's what he looks like in the theater.

REPORTER: Chief, can you tell us if the devices that (INAUDIBLE).

OATES: I don't know enough about -- those of you who were here this morning know I reported that he released, it appears, two devices that set off some sort of smoke and/or chemical irritant. I don't know enough about them right now to answer any questions. Yes?

(INAUDIBLE)

OATES: Our cops went through a lot. As I told you this morning, they rushed people out of that theater, into police cars. I've heard some compelling stories. One of the things we're working on is how we're going to deal with our own trauma. And we spent some time today with our three department psychologists and somehow in the next couple of days when this is -- when this has slowed down, one of our highest priorities is to deal with our own officers and how they cope with this event. And that's really al I have to say about this.

Anything else? Yes?
(INAUDIBLE)

OATES: I don't know where he got the armor.

REPORTER: What about the mask?

OATES: It was a gas mask.

(INAUDIBLE)

OATES: You know, I apologize, I don't now how many families are evacuated. There are a total of five apartment buildings. They're roughly the same size. Three story buildings were anywhere from six to 10 units on a floor so you can do the math.

REPORTER: (INAUDIBLE) -- obviously SWAT was not -- but they got there really quickly --

OATES: The officers who responded were wearing a regular uniform equipment including ballistic protection. We had a lot of people out last night. Because it was a Friday night and we have a special summer initiative under way where there's extra officers on the street. So, we were fortunate we had about 25 officers there like that.

And as I said earlier, in the end, somewhere between 150 to 200 officers and deputies fairly quickly thereafter.

(INAUDIBLE)

OATES: Sorry?

(INAUDIBLE)

OATES: I have no way to answer that question. If I knew, I wouldn't.

(INAUDIBLE)

OATES: I was asked if he had an attorney -- yes, he has an attorney. And the question was, I'm sorry, was --

REPORTER: (INAUDIBLE) off-duty security at the theater --

OATES: Yes, and we usually work off-duty security at the theater on weekends. This was a Thursday night. And we were not there. But we were there within about 90 seconds.

(INAUDIBLE)

OATES: Oh, I'm doing just fine.

Yes, sir?

(INAUDIBLE)

OATES: I have some information from my detectives on his demeanor since his arrest but I will not share it with you. One more question.

(INAUDIBLE)

OATES: I don't know how many bullets went through the adjacent theater. I know enough went through that one person was hit.

OK. That concludes this briefing. Tomorrow morning, tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 p.m. Thank you very much, folks.

MORGAN: An emotional press conference there with Dan Oates, who's the Aurora police chief in Colorado.

He's updated us now to say that 12 dead, 70 injured -- no, 12 dead, 58 people injured. One less than was first suspended, 30 hospitalized, 11 remain in critical condition. Not everybody was hit by gunfire. Some were injured in the melee that followed.

The suspect was dressed in black and tactical gear. He also released some extraordinary statistics about the ammunition that he built up: 6,000 rounds of ammunition he got on the Internet. Including 100-round drum magazine for an assault rifle which he then deployed, which could have fired 50 or 60 rounds in one minute. Quite extraordinary that he should find this legally obtainable in modern America.

We'll come back and discuss that after the break and also talk to some of the victims of this atrocity.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MORGAN: We're back now with the families who survived the shooting. Patricia Legarreta, Jamie Rohrs and their 4-year-old daughter and 4-month-old baby son. They were at the premiere when the killer opened fire. Let's get back to our exclusive interview.

I can see your young one there -- clearly has been a long and traumatic day. Perfectly understandable she should be a bit upset by now.

Tell me again. You were talking me through what happened. I'll start immediately, I've had a few people tweeting me to say ask them first of all why were they at the cinema with two such very young children. Answer that question first.

LEGARRETA: I take my kids to the movies all the time. It's something you don't expect. A family movie. It's even, you know, PG- 13.


I don't know. You -- we just moved from New Mexico. We don't have a lot of family here. We're huge Batman fans. My 4-year-old daughter just loves Batman. And we were excited.

So we, you know, last minute actually decided to go and get tickets and go as a family to the movies.

MORGAN: And once --

JAMIE ROHRS, SHOOTING VICTIM: And also --

MORGAN: Jamie, let me ask you, to be honest with you, I'm not that interested in why you took your children -- you're perfectly entitled to.

I'd rather move to what happened to you. I know that, Patricia, you were hit by a bullet. Did you realize at the time you've been hit by a bullet?

LEGARRETA: Well, at the -- I did. I could feel the sensation. I felt the tingling in my calf. And I remember at the time that I got hit, the man -- the young man, who was next to me got hit as well. And at the same time that I, you know, screamed "I think I got hit," he at the same time screamed as well And we both fell to the ground. And I got hit when I was --

MORGAN: Jamie, could you -- want to ask Jamie, could you see the killer? Could you see him?

ROHRS: No, I was in the middle -- I ended up on the row over, and then I ended up crawling out. And I'm, like, I'm going to run out. I'm like, you can't run out. So I turned back. And I fall up the stairs and land on my forearm. And I laid the baby down and I'm contemplating my steps. I find myself standing up and looking around.

I could see through the corner of my eye. My idea was don't let -- don't see him. Because if you see him, he can see you. Stay low. Stay -- just try to hide. And people are falling all around, like, you're just hearing screaming right next to me. I'm still standing. I don't know why -- how I'm not hit.

But every time a bullet flashed, you just hear the sound and your ears are ringing. You're like, this one's going to kill me. This one -- this is it.

MORGAN: It's absolutely horrific. I can quite understand why you're feeling now emotional about this. You had your family there, your whole family, and potentially facing the prospect of none of you getting out of that cinema alive when you go and watch a movie. When you heard -- I don't know if you heard the police just now revealing some of the details of the armory that this killer had built up, 6,000 rounds of ammunition he bought on the Internet, four weapons, including this assault rifle.

What is your reaction to that? There's a huge debate going on all around America today about gun control and so on. What is your reaction to the fact that this young man was legally able in the last two months to obtain four weapons, including an assault rifle, and so much ammunition and commit this atrocity?

ROHR: It's -- it's not right. Like, I mean, yes, people are entitled to things but how much weapons do you need? How many weapons? These are destructive -- they're not just handguns. They're shotguns, assault rifles, like you said. They're just so fast at killing people. Like you just realize how many people it can kill so fast. Because, I mean, this only took three minutes and 70 shot, 10 -- 12 dead. It's just -- these are weapons of destruction. It's horrific.

MORGAN: Jamie, did you think that you were going to get out alive or did you fear that everyone was going to die in there?

ROHR: No, this -- my thought was this is how it ends. This is how I die. This can't be the way I die. This can't be the way my son dies. He's four months. This can't be the way my girlfriend dies and our stepdaughter dies. She's four years.

And just so many things pacing through your head. But every time you see a gunshot, I see it through the corner of my eye, see someone drop. And I'm trying to, like, duck, like just trying to get out of the way. And people are falling next to me. But I'm still -- I'm still all right.

Just thinking, this is it. And I just found myself at a point where I had to do something. And it was when I was going to run down the stairs with Ethan. And I was like, he's going to see me and he's going to shoot me. At the point you -- at the time you don't realize it's one person. You think it's -- a million possibilities are going through your head. You're thinking, are they coming from the stairs? Are there more than one? Are there two? Are there three?

Just shots are going off all over. So I find myself just standing. And just my son's on the floor. And I'm looking around. Like, I see the balcony because the shots had stopped for a second. I look over to see if I can jump over because I'm on top of the balcony. And I'm contemplating in my head, like, can I jump, and can I jump with Ethan without him breaking his neck or me landing on him.

As I turn to, like, find Ethan in the dark of the theater with the gas, like, I'm just so disoriented and I lose him. I just lose him. And then he opened fire again. I'm, like, you got to get Ethan. You got to get Ethan. So I'm trying -- I'm, like, you got to run back, you got to find him and get him. And then once I say, just jump if you run back, you're dead. That's it. You're done. You're done. This is it. Just jump. Just pray that he won't kill your four4- month-old. Just pray that he don't find him.

So I jump and I run. I land and I'm running. I'm running. I'm looking behind me to see if people are running behind me. I'm looking for her and for our daughter. I don't see them. There's one half telling me, just go back in, go back. Like, you can't leave them in there. It's like, if you go back, you're dead too. What if our kids live and then they're orphans with no parents.

You're just thinking, like, please let them get out alive. Then I'm thinking, I don't want to live if they all die. I don't want to live if they all die. Just please. I'm praying, just praying. Just please let them get out alive. I got to my truck and I drove across to the mall. I'm try to call 911 and trying to call Patricia.

It's going -- it's just ringing. Every time it rings, I'm like, they're dead, they're dead, your whole family's dead. Just they're dead. And I couldn't think. I got a phone call from a Colorado number and I answered it and thank God it was Patricia just telling me. I was waiting for her to tell me, like, I have -- do you have Ethan. I didn't know what to tell her. Thank God, she had them both. She had them both.

And she was only shot in the head -- I mean shot in the leg. I was just expecting someone to be dead. I didn't think any of us were getting out alive, much less all four of us.

MORGAN: Jamie, it's utterly harrowing hearing your account of this. I'm just so glad that you made it. Obviously other people weren't so lucky. And it's been an appalling day for America.

Patricia, there is one happy ending to this. And that is what happened in the hospital later on, that Jamie did something very special. Tell me about that.

LEGARRETA: We were in the hospital for about a good 10 minutes. And he'd gone to the restroom and came out. And he just looked at me and he said I know this isn't the time or the place. He's like but will you marry me. And I said yes. You just -- something like this just -- knowing -- going through 10 minutes of thinking that he was dead and I'd never see him again, it just -- you never want that feeling again. And it's -- sorry.

MORGAN: Well, it's been an extraordinary conversation with you both. I'm so grateful that you're alive. I'm so grateful your children are alive. I wish you all the very best with your marriage and your future lives together. Lives that you weren't even sure you would have after what happened last night . It is a scandal that this kind of thing can happen to Americans in a movie theater. And that's got to be dealt with.

But for now, thank you very much for joining me.

ROHR: Thank you.

MORGAN: We'll be right back with more breaking news on this appalling atrocity.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MORGAN: We are back with breaking news on the Colorado movie theater shooting. With each new minute, we're getting new details about the alleged gunman, who is identified as 24-year-old James Holmes. Tom Mai used to live right next door to Holmes in San Diego. He joins me now.


Tom Mai, tell me what your reaction was when you heard that the killer who's been taken into custody was the same person that you lived next to.

TOM MAI, LIVED NEXT TO ALLEGED COLORADO SHOOTER: I'm shocked and saddened because of the whole situation. The family very nice. The young man is quiet, very nice, very good student. I guess the problem is we had too much, you know, violence in movie and game, the video games. I guess also the parent right to teach their children right and wrong was taken away by the court system and the educational system. You've got failing children and our failing American family too.

MORGAN: I mean, we don't know yet exactly what the motivation was, what may have caused him to do this. You lived next to him for 10 years. You shared Christmas with the family. You knew them better than almost anybody. You say there was no sign of this. What kind of boy was he?

MAI: He's a quiet guy, you know, very nice. When I come out, I see him, you know, like mowing the lawn or washing the car for his parents. So a typical American boy. Also like, you know, one time we have Christmas get-together with the neighbor at his home. He served my children cookie and hot cocoa, something like that, talking to them. Quiet, nice guy.

MORGAN: His mother still lives next door to you. Have you been able to speak to her today?

MAI: No, I haven't been able to talk to her because too many people tried to get her. And she want to, you know, not to talk to anybody.

MORGAN: It's obviously deeply shocking for them as well. We still await more details of what may have motivated him. Tom Mai, thank you very much for joining me.

MAI: Yeah, thank you very much.

MORGAN: What happened in Colorado is a tragedy. But could stricter gun laws have prevented it? The debate that many people are having tonight across America.

Joining me now is Harvard Law's Lawrence Tribe. He's a professor of constitutional law there. Mr. Tribe, it's a debate that rages every single time there is a shooting of this nature. This is the worst shooting in terms of people who were hit by gunfire that America has ever seen.

Is this enough, now, to prompt stricter gun control? And would stricter gun control have made a difference in this case?

PROF. LAWRENCE TRIBE, HARVARD UNIVERSITY: First of all, I want to express my grief and my deep condolences for the victims. I think gun control is overdue. The Second Amendment does protect the rights of people to possess weapons for self-defense in the home. That's what the Supreme Court said.

But it certainly does not protect the right to buy 6,000 rounds of ammunition on the Internet or to buy four guns, including automatic and semiautomatic weapons, in a short period of time. There's no reason in the Constitution why we as a civilized society couldn't get our hands around a problem like that.

The reason is the National Rifle Association and all of the people who, frankly, make a living out of restricting the political possibility of gun control. We have to do something about it. I don't know how many killings, how much slaughters it's going to take before the nation wakes up to the need to address the problem.

I think we fool ourselves if we say better and stricter gun control would necessarily solve the problem. There are all kinds of things that we need to do. We may need to do things about the exits at movie theaters, so that if they are opened, there's an alarm that goes off if they are not immediately shut. We may need to do something about our educational system. We need to do something about the culture of violence.

But I think this is a time for the country to come together. And it's certainly not a time for us to divide over the question of whether we can impose reasonable controls on ammunition. I think everyone agrees that the Constitution permits that. It's simply our political system that has failed to act adequately.

MORGAN: Professor Tribe, very eloquently put. Thank you very much for joining me.

TRIBE: Thank you, Piers.

MORGAN: The most deadly shooting in American history was at Virginia Tech University in 2007. Colin Goddard was shot four times by the gunman who killed 32 people. He now works on legislation with the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.

He joins me along with Dan Gros, president of the Brady Campaign, and David Koppel, who is a law professor at Denver University and associate policy analyst at the Cato Institute.

Let me start with you, David Kopel, you heard there from Professor Tribe it is time now for gun control to be strengthened. What is your reaction to that?

DAVID KOPEL, PROFESSOR, DENVER UNIVERSITY: Honestly, Piers, I think this is the wrong night to be doing this. And I really wish you'd waited to have this segment until after the funerals. This is a time in Colorado and nationally when it would have been better to have more of the segments like you did before with the family, and when people could be unified in helping the victims.

MORGAN: Well, if I could jump in there --


(CROSS TALK)

MORGAN: Wait, let me just challenge you on that --

(CROSS TALK)

MORGAN: If I may, let me challenge you on what you just said. A lot of people have said that today, a lot people who don't want strengthening gun control have said this is not the day to debate it. I'll tell you the debate to debate it, would have been yesterday to prevent this happening. When you have a young man like this able to legally get 6,000 rounds of ammunition off the Internet, to buy four weapons including an assault rifle, and for all of this to be perfectly legal in modern America, allowing him to carry out the biggest shooting in the history of the United States, that, I'm afraid, means it's too late for this debate, for those people that lost their lives.

So don't patronize me about when we should be talking about the gun control debate. You tell me a good reason why we should not strengthen the law now to stop another young man like him going into a store tomorrow, buying four more weapons, 6,000 rounds of ammunition on the Internet, and killing and shooting another 70 people in America.

KOPEL: Because we don't even know the full facts of this situation yet. And that's another reason it would have been prudent for you to wait a few days where we know more about this. Nobody's been able to come up with any proposal specific about the facts of this case, partly because the facts are still being developed. And I know -- you've said many times on the air, America's got too many guns. You want to drastically reduce the number of guns.

If your whole point is there's too many gun, we've got to get rid of lots of them, drastically constrict things, and you think somehow that's going to make it better, well, there's no real evidence that it will. If you want to talk about specific reforms that might involve this specific guy, and prevent future people like him, that's fine. But let's wait till we find out the information, instead of rushing the country into this pro/con thing that I know sells a lot of commercials on TV, but it's inappropriately divisive now.

Nobody's stopping you from having the segment on Wednesday. Can you give people a little bit of breathing room --

MORGAN: OK, you've made your point. Let's move to Dan Gross from the Brady Campaign because I'm really not interested in having a debate about whether we can debate gun control. Given that we now know this young man legally purchased these weapons in the last two months, and purchased this staggering amount of ammunition -- he purchased a hundred-round drum magazine, allowing him to fire off 50 to 60 rounds in one minute in that movie theater, which is what has led to this mass slaughter and mass gun attack


Given what has happened today, do you think there is now legitimate cause to press politicians for tougher gun control in America?

DAN GROSS, THE BRADY CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE: Piers, I think, like you said, that legitimate cause existed yesterday. And it exists today. It will exist tomorrow. This should be incentive for everybody to make their voice heard. Because, you know, with these guys, it's never the time to talk about it.

You know what, we're not going to talk about it seriously as a nation until the American people get involved in this issue and demand accountability from our leaders, not to do the bidding of the gun lobby, but to represent the people that they've been elected to represent and to prevent tragedies like this.

If Mr. Kopel wants to talk about specific things that can be done to prevent specific people from getting specific guns, you know, what about background checks that can prevent convicted felons, convicted domestic abusers from getting their hands on their guns? The gun lobby works against laws like that on a regular basis. And they're going to be able to continue to until we make our voice heard, which is why the Brady Campaign is launching a petition today at BradyCampaign.org that -- for Americans to sign, to demand that our elected officials do something about this issue, to stop arming dangerous people like this young man was armed today.

MORGAN: Yeah, and just to be clear, you've made it clear that you didn't wait. You didn't wait. You acted today because today is the day to act to prevent something happening tomorrow. Let me go to Colin Goddard. You survived the Virginia Tech shooting, Colin. You went to Capitol Hill to try to persuade Congress to try and reform the gun control laws.

There are many strands to this. As people pointed out to me, in Chicago they have pretty tough laws and they have an almost wild west scenario there with gun crime and shootings amongst the gangs. But that has to do with, in my view, the incredible amount of guns that are in circulation illegally in America. There are apparently nearly as many guns now in circulation in America as there are people.

I'm afraid, the more guns you have, the more likelihood there is they're going to get used. Colin, what is the answer? How are you going to persuade the law makers and politicians? Because at the moment I'm being told by everyone on the airwaves today neither President Obama nor Mitt Romney will even mention guns before the election. It's not politically helpful to them getting elected. That can't be right, can it?

COLIN GODDARD, VIRGINIA TECH SHOOTING VICTIM: The American people need to express their outrage directly to their representatives on every single level. This is something that will change when the American people want it to change. Shooting after shooting, we hear words. We see letters. And then they shrug their shoulders and that's it. That can no longer happen.

We need to hold these people directly accountable. These people being their representatives, for doing the bidding of people who profit from selling firearms to anybody, and that ultimately end up killing innocent people. This is insane that in this world and this modern country that we have to have this conversation. It is way overdue.

MORGAN: It's way overdue. And let me reclarify what I said at the start of this program. I respect the Second Amendment. I respect the average Americans' right to defend themselves in their own homes with a firearm, if they need to. This is a totally different issue that we're talking about today. It's got nothing to do with that right whatsoever.

Mr. Kopel, if you want to come back when it suits you and when you feel the time is right, I will be waiting any time to debate this with you. Thank you now, all of you.

We're going to move on. When I come back, I'll ask the man who was shot with Gabrielle Giffords what he would do to change gun laws.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MORGAN: Ron Barber was a top aide to Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords when she was shot down earlier this year -- last year. He was shot at well. Six people died in that attack, including a nine year old girl. And Bob won the special election to replace Giffords when she stepped down earlier this year. He joins me now.

Ron Barber, today must have brought been extremely difficult memories for you. What was your reaction to what happened?

REP. RON BARBER (D), ARIZONA: Well, it did bring back some terrible memories. Obviously I learned about the shooting as I was boarding my plane this morning to come back from Washington, to come home for the weekend. I'll be meeting with constituents tomorrow. I'm sure I will hear a lot about this when I meet with them.

It did, as I say, bring back some pretty terrible memories. I was listening earlier when you were interviewing the family, Jamie and his family. And I was very moved. In fact, I have to tell you, I'm very emotional coming out of hearing that interview about the tragedy -- the almost tragedy that happened to that family and the loss of 12 people, more injured.

We hope they all survive. Having been through this a year and a half ago, on a smaller scale, thank God, but still it has a lot of similarities. I know what's going on right now with those families who have lost loved ones and who are waiting to see their other loved ones recover. I'm thinking back, for example, to the phone call that my wife got from someone who was at Congress on Your Corner when the shooting occurred, telling her that your husband has been shot.

And she said is he alive? And the woman said to her he's still with us. And I know conversations like that have been going on since the shooting started. And all I can say is I'm heartbroken with what I know what's going on in Aurora with those families who have lost relatives and friends and those who are still recovering.

It's a tragic event. And one would hope it never happens again. And I'm just heartbroken for the families. And I just want them to know how deeply I feel about this and how personal this is with me.

MORGAN: Ron, it is -- no one can speak more eloquently about this than you can. I can't let you go without asking you about the gun control debate. You're a politician. You're going to be responsible for trying to force through some changes to this. Do you think it's possible? Do you think that Washington is going to wake up tomorrow, perhaps, and realize that America simply can't keep having this number of outrages involving guns?

BARBER: Well, I think any decision of serious political issues or policy issues are not going to be had now. And I'll tell you why. In my month in the Congress -- I've been sworn in a month ago. What I know is going on is very little. We have passed some important legislation. The Department of Defense budget yesterday and a week or so ago a budget that will help us build our infrastructure and transportation.

But between now and the election, I really believe that very little is going to be said about major policy issues, including this one. Right now I'm just heartsick over what happened. I have to say, it's deeply moving to me in so many levels about the families that have lost loved ones. And I remember what my wife and family were going through. And I know that's happening over and over again in Aurora.

And I want to say to the people of Aurora, know that we're with you. We care about you. We're sending our prayers to you. Hold on to each other. And please, you know, have hope and look forward to a brighter tomorrow, even though today looks very dark.

MORGAN: Ron Barber, thank you very much for those very powerful words. We'll be back after this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MORGAN: One of the victims of the Colorado shooting was Jessica Ghawi. The young woman moved to Denver to follow her dream of being a sportscaster. In a tragic twist, she died after narrowly escaping death last month when a gunman opened in a Toronto shopping mall. Joining me now is her boyfriend, Jay Meloff.

Jay, first of all, let me offer you my deepest and most sincere condolences on this appalling loss for you, particularly awful given what she had gone through in Toronto so soon before this. How are you bearing up? What are your feelings about what's happened here today?

JAY MELOFF, BOYFRIEND OF VICTIM: First of all, thanks a lot. I appreciate it. A lot of people have been contacting me, people I don't know, saying they feel for me and Jesse's family. I can't really describe how I feel right now. It still hasn't set in fully. I still can't believe it. I mean, I still think -- I can't believe she's not here still.

And I just want to make sure that as much as the attention as possible is on Jessie and the other lives lost, and that as little attention is paid to the person who did this. That's just what I feel. That's all I can really think about.

MORGAN: Jay, I can see how difficult this is for you. It's the end of our show. I can't think of a more powerful, eloquent way to end it. I'd just send you again my deepest sympathies of your loss, on what has been an awful day for America, and my thoughts are with all the families of all those who lost loved ones today. Thank you very much.

And that's all for us tonight. "AC 360" starts now.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/acd.html

ANDERSON COOPER 360 DEGREES
12 Dead, 59 Injured in Colorado Theater Mass Shooting
Aired July 20, 2012 - 20:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN HOST: Good evening. I'm Anderson Cooper coming to you live from Aurora, Colorado.

There is obviously a lot happening right now. Including efforts to defuse or blow up what may be a booby trapped apartment about four miles from my location right here near the movie theater where this massacre took place, the suspect's apparent apartment.

And new details tonight about the man police say committed last night's mass shooting here in Aurora Colorado, seen as one of the nation's worst mass shooting.

But before we go any further, those kind of breaking developments, while important, obscure our view of the people who are truly at the center of what has happened here, not the suspect whose name we will tell you and we will tell you what we know about him coming up. But the 71 people he's accused of attempting to kill, 12 who have died.

We know only one so far by name. This woman, Jessica Ghawi, a journalist and blogger who also went by the name of Jessica Redfield. She narrowly escaped a similar but less deadly shooting last month in Toronto. She was only 24-years-old. I'm going to talk to her brother shortly tonight in the hour ahead.

She's the only fatality identified so far. We would tell you more of their names, more of who they were, because we think it's important tonight to focus on the victims in this. Yes, we'll tell you about the shooter and, yes, we'll talk about how he got access to weapons. But all those kinds of debates perhaps can wait at least for though hour. We want to focus on the victims and those who have survived.

There were military personnel as well in the theater, in theater number nine, at the Century 16 complex last night. One sailor's unaccounted for, presumably killed, along with ten others. Their families either have or will be notified. They'll be mourned and their stories told. So many -- so many stories will emerge tonight of survival, of loss, of the tragically fine and utterly random line between the two, the fine line between good and bad fortune, between hugging a loved one who made it out safely and burying one who didn't.

People who spent the day at a police staging area in a high school nearby, not knowing if their son or daughter, mother, father, was dead or alive, waiting for word. Hours ago, we were told that the ten victims who were killed inside that theater were still inside the theater. We haven't got be any updates of that. So, for all we know right now, they are still there, inside theater number nine.

There were a lot -- there's a lot to get you up to date. Take a look at this.

(VIDEO CLIP PLAYING)

COOPER: People quickly realized what initially appeared to be some kind of promotional stunt for the Batman premiere, that's what some people thought. They were watching a promotional stunt. It was in fact a shooting, what turned into a massacre.

We'll tell as best we can the suspect's story, searching for clues to what motivated James Holmes. Authorities say that suit up in body armor, grab tear gas and unleash three firearms and shoot 71 people and leave a booby trapped apartment rigged to explode for authorities to defuse. And that's what they are trying to do right now. Our Randi Kaye is there and we'll take you there shortly.

We'll tell you who the suspect is. A guy who told police he was the Joker. But apparently dyed his hair red. We'll tell you where he bought the weapons he allegedly used, how he became the mass murder, authorities now say, he is, at least what we know.

We're going to look at how this story fits with and differs from what we've come to expect. And how people here are coping nationwide. Flags are flying at half-staff. This is a state, a country, in mourning. Both President Obama and Mitt Romney have suspended campaigning for the moment, campaigning for the day. The president was awakened about 5:30 with the news. Spoke about it earlier this morning. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We will take every step possible to ensure the safety of all of our people. We're going to stand by our neighbors in Colorado during this extraordinarily difficult time. I had a chance to speak with the mayor of Aurora as well as the governor of Colorado to express not just on behalf of Michelle and myself but the entire American family how heartbroken we are.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COOPER: A short time later, Mitt Romney offered his condolences.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MITT ROMNEY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Each one of us will hold our kids a little closer, linger a bit longer with a colleague or a neighbor, reach out to a family member or friend. We'll all spend a little less time thinking about the worries of our day. And more time wondering about how to help those who are in need of compassion most. (END VIDEO CLIP)

COOPER: Well, that sentiment and the president's, they both speak volumes. And we are going to our best tonight to honor them as we bring you late developments throughout the hour and throughout the night.

I want to start though, just after midnight last night. What we know about what happened inside theater nine. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER (voice-over): It's about 12:30 a.m., 20 minutes or so into the sold-out premiere of "the dark knight rises." A gunman dressed head to toe in bullet proof gear and a gas mask, drills a canister what may have been a teargas into the room through the exit door which he propped open earlier after purchasing a ticket to the movie and sneaking out of the theater. The canister ignites causing confusion among theater goers who don't yet realize the danger they're in.

DONOVAN TATE, WITNESS: When this popping started happening, I thought it was fireworks, like someone playing a prank or joke or something, you know, but then some smoke started rising in the lower right corner of the theater.
COOPER: Witnesses say the gunman enters the theater, first fired at the ceiling, then turns his gun on the crowd.

JENNIFER SEEGER, WITNESS: When he went straight for the air, he came down with his gun in my face. He was about three feet away from me at that point. In that instant, I honestly didn't know what to do. I was terrified.

COOPER: The terror spreads. Eyewitness described the gunman as, quote, "calmly firing into the crowd."

CHRIS RAMOS, WITNESS: Somehow, I got my little sister. I grab her. Then we just go down on the ground. Hiding below, like, the chairs. And the guy's just standing right by the exit, just firing away. He's not aiming at a specific person. He's just aiming everywhere. Trying to hit as many people as he can. All I remember is, like, I was down be the ground. I was covering myself. Right when I was going up, like the tear gas was getting me. My eyes were, like, watery. I was, like, crying, like a girl felt weird. And I felt like I was bleeding from my nose. Like it was hard to breathe. So, I kept on going down. Like ducking down. Telling my sister to go forward. Pushing her forward. Where there's like guys, girls, running on top of me, jumping away from the seats, just trying to escape it the guy was firing. Like the shooting lasted probably like a minute or two minutes.

COOPER: The gunman doesn't discriminate. Children are also shot. This mother's wounded in the leg as she tried to escape the gunfire with her 4-month-old son and 4-year-old daughter. PATRICIA LEGARETTA, WITNESS: I just grabbed the baby and I just drugged -- I just grabbed my daughter and just got her out as fast as I could and just ran out. I didn't turn around. I didn't look behind me. I just got out. Then there was a moment where my daughter -- tripped and I just pulled her up, dragging her, just thinking, we got to get out. I just got to get out the doors. Even if I just fall dead, just get my kids out here. It was -- it was just so horrible.

COOPER: At 12:39 a.m. the first calls come into 911.

911 FEMALE DISPATCHER: 315 and 314, first shooting at Century Theaters 14 300 East Alameda Avenue. They're saying somebody's shoot in the auditorium.

COOPER: Police arrive within 90 seconds to soon learn that 71 people have been wounded. The cell phone video shows panicked and bloody victims streaming out of the theater. Inside, ten people are dead.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE POLICE: We need rescue inside the auditorium, multiple victims.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE POLICE: I got seven down in theater nine! Seven down!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE POLICE: I've got a child victim. I need rescue at the back door, theater nine, now.

COOPER: Two more victims later die at the hospital. Bringing the death toll so far to 12.

TATE: There was this one guy who was on all fours crawling, there was this girl spitting up blood. There were bullet holes in some people's backs, some people's arms. There was this one guy who was stripped down to like his Boxers. It looked like he had been shot, like, in the back.

COOPER: While the police and emergency workers helped the victims, the suspect is spotted standing by a white car in the parking lot of the theater.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE POLICE: I need a marked car behind the theater stable side, the suspect in a gas mask. Everyone, hold the air, one second. Cars where that white car in the rear of the lot is that our suspect?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE POLICE: Yes! We've got rifles, gas masks. He's detained right now. I've got an open door going into the theater.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE POLICE: OK, hold that position, hold your suspect!

COOPER: Within seven minutes of the first 911 call, the gunman surrenders to police. He's identified as 24-year-old James Holmes. A student in the process of withdrawing from the University of Colorado's neuroscience Ph.D. program. Holmes, who lives just four miles from the movie theater, tells police he's left a bomb in his third floor apartment.

DANIEL OATES, CHIEF POLICE, AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT: We are not sure what we're dealing with in the home. They appear to be incendiary devices. There are some chemical elements there and there are also some incendiary elements. They're linked together with all kinds of wires. It's a lay man. It's not something I've ever seen before.

COOPER: Police won't speculate on a motive for Holmes who's now in custody awaiting his first court appearance on Monday.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Obviously, the theater now over my shoulder is closed off. Police are still scouring it. And nearby, as I said about four miles from here at the suspect's apartment, there was also another police cordon where they -- bomb units are on the scene. They're very carefully trying to figure out how to defuse whatever devices may be inside Mr. Holmes apartment. Our Randi Kaye's there. We'll go to her shortly.

This is happening though, in a city recently named as one of the ten safest in the country where some are taken as a sign of America's ongoing epidemic of violence, however you want to interpret it. In fact, it simply underscores deranged acts of mass murder can and do happen anywhere. Whether it's a massacre at a youth camp in Norway, the shooting in a mall in Toronto, a school shooting at Columbine, or last night this, last night here.

Joining me now are two survivors, Emma Goos and Marcus Weaver. Both of whom were in theater number nine. Where were you sitting when the gunman came?

EMMA GOOS, EYEWITNESS: We were sitting close to the emergency exit that he entered in. We were about four rows back on the flatter plain of the theater because it's split into two sections. The raised section and the very front.

COOPER: So, what did you first see?

GOOS: We saw him kick off the door and then take a couple steps forward and sort of plant his feet very wide apart and look around. All in the span of like three seconds.

COOPER: Did you see him in a gas mask?

GOOS: Yes, he was wearing a gas mask, wearing the full armor. He had arm pads and leg pads. And he was taking very wide steps because of that. He seemed to be struggling with all the weight. I saw the huge gun he was carrying. And the canister of gas that he lobbed over the audience.

COOPER: And Marcus, where were you sitting, what did you see? MARCUS WEAVER, EYEWITNESS: When he first came out, after the smoke bomb, I went across the theater and it hit the other side and it was smoking and smelling. We all thought maybe it was a, you know, a prank or something that went along with the movie. Then, the next two shots like hit the front row. Almost like it hit the iron. Made like it was fireworks. And then the barrage of shots started changing out. And all you could see is the dust from the -- the smoke bomb or the -- the spray. And just him shooting and just this white light and this huge, like, boom, boom, boom. And it went of six to eight times.

And so at that point, my friend Rebecca and the people next to me, we ducked for cover. And we were behind -- just a little -- it would seem like it was only like six inches of seat from the next step down in the stadium seating. So we just held on for dear life, hoping the bullets didn't hit us. But it was hitting chairs. It was hitting people. People are topping over us.

COOPER: When did you realize you had been hit?

WEAVER: I didn't realize I was hit till actually I got outside, but --

COOPER: So you didn't feel the bullet enter you?

WEAVER: No, I think I had such an adrenaline rush till I got outside and everybody was coming, are you injured, are you injured?

COOPER: Because your shirt was bloody?

WEAVER: Yes, I got sprayed with some bullets right there.

COOPER: And how is your arm now? Obviously, it is --

WEAVER: Well, it's got -- still got the two holes right there, where they entered and I thought it might have --.

COOPER: This is where the bullet entered?

WEAVER: Fortunate it didn't enter anywhere else because it had done some damaged. And then, the shrapnel still like on my shoulder right here.
COOPER: So, shrapnel still inside your shoulder?

WEAVER: Sure.

COOPER: Are they going to take that out?

WEAVER: They said they're going to wait. Because it's a complicated surgery because of the muscle. So, I might never heal. They might not be able to repair it.

COOPER: How was your friend?

WEAVER: My friend, she's still missing. Her name is Rebecca Wingo. And there was a report somewhere between on good will where they were looking on the internet, her friend and family and her dad has called me. And so, they've been search in the hospitals. And she's yet to be found.

What happened was when we got up off the ground, there was a moment where he stopped shooting. And so I picked her up and she had blood all over her face. And her body was bloodied. She was unconscious. So, I tried to pick her up with my left hand and get her through the row but there were people trampling over the seating coming down. There were people in my aisle who were, like, laying down, injured, dead, crying. I mean, it was awful. So I ended up tripping and then had to set her down. And then, at that point, I realized once he started shooting again, that's when probably I might have got the injury because when I was laying down, I was on this side where the bullets were coming so it had to be during that period. Then I ran out and there were three other movies trying to merge to get out the door. It was just a mess when --

COOPER: Emma, you actually went into theater number eight. How did you -- what happened when you realized what was going on?

GOOS: Like Marcus said, I thought it was a joke at first. I thought it was a prank being pulled by maybe the theater because he came in through the emergency exit. So I thought he needed some key from the staff. Once I realized it wasn't --

COOPER: He apparently had come in with all of you, with the audience and then had left and left the door ajar, that's the latest report.

GOOS: Yes, and during that pause, everyone on the lower part of the theater had hit the floor. And in that pause that we heard -- because it was just rapid gunfire and then suddenly it was silence for about 15 seconds and everyone bolted for the exit as fast as they could.

COOPER: Did -- there's a report from the police his hair had been dyed red. That he said he is the Joker. Did you see his hair though?

GOOS: No, he was covered head to toe in an armor. He was wearing like a riot mask and a helmet and a gas mask and he had goggles underneath the gas mask so even if you saw through the Plexiglas, you wouldn't be able to see, make out anything --

COOPER: And when you got outside, you actually tried to help other people?

GOOS: Yes, I got separated from all my friends. I didn't know what to do. And I was on my way over to where we had parked the car hoping that we would meet there. And on my way there, the first responders, the very first police squad cars to arrive there, the police just jumped out and ran straight into the theater. And there was a man who was asking the police to help him. And he was absolutely covered in blood. His whole face and his whole arm. He was asking for help but no one stopped to help him. And I thought well, I have to at least talk to him. I'm not trained in paramedics at all but I should talk to him. And I went over and he had been hit in the head.

I thought he was just grazed because there was only a small scratch. But when I looked again, I realized that it was very, very swollen and there seemed to be discolored tissue. So I don't know if -- if the bullet penetrated his skull or anything but I told him he need to put pressure on the wound. I don't know if that was right to tell him. I was trying to calm him down. He said he couldn't feel his arm. He was panicking. I told him, you know, it's OK, you're all right. There's not a hole in your skull. He kept saying, is there a hole in my head, is there a hole in my head, and I --

COOPER: How are your friends?

GOOS: My friends are all OK, thank God. The six of us were in a group. And miraculously, we found each other. Two of them ran from the theater to my house which is about two miles away. And we thought they were dead. Again, we were, like, twenty feet away from the gunmen. And then, when he started moving up the aisle, we were maybe five feet away from him. And so, I thought for sure that they were gone. It was absolute pandemonium.

COOPER: How are you both holding up? I mean, I know you haven't had any sleep, it's been --

WEAVER: I haven't been able to sleep. I've been, you know, just thinking about everything that's happened and about my friend, who we have yet to contact. Lots of family and friends have been calling, you know, and I'm thankful for my family back in Virginia and my family here. I'm just thankful. You know, I thank the Lord I'm alive and I know that, like, even through all this, that we can grow, still, as a community and maybe this will be a binding force for us because something just -- its sinister as evil like that, I mean, it makes you afraid to even go to the movie theater which is something we all were enjoying. We were all clapping at the beginning of the previews, remember, and at the start of the movie. It was young kids there. There were kids ages 13 through 25. And they'd probably been saving up money the whole summer to go to this movie or waiting for this one event at midnight where their parents let them go. And now it's just -- it's just -- its destroyed.

COOPER: It says something about both of you and so many of the people in the theater that in the midst of this horror you reached out to try to help your friend and you reached out to help a stranger. I just want to thank you for talking to us. I'm so glad you guys are OK.

GOOS: Thank you.

COOPER: All right, stay strong.
We've talked to so many people and heard from so many people like Marcus and like Emma who were able to get out. And who immediately tried to turn and help others. And these first responders who got to the scene really quickly.

And as you heard from Emma, saying rushed directly right into the theater. There are a lot of people whose bravery we want to talk about tonight.

Let us know what you think about this. Follow me on twitter right now @andersoncooper. I have been tweeting about this all day long. Join the conversation on our blog at ac360.com.

As we told you earlier, police say the suspect turned his apartment into a time bomb. Efforts are still under way right now to defuse it. We're going to take you to that scene. Four hours from now - four miles from here. Live pictures you're looking at. We will talk to Randi Kaye who is on the scene. We have a live report from her, coming up next.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LEGARETTA: I just remember thinking I'm not going to die in here. Me and my kids, we're not going to die in here, I need to get them out. All I could think is if I stand up, he's going to shoot, because that's what he was doing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Welcome back. I'm coming to you live from Aurora, Colorado.

A state, frankly, in shock, in mourning at this hour. Still try to comprehend what occurred just over my shoulder at the movie theater earlier this morning.

Our breaking news tonight. The aftermath of the deadly shooting here in Aurora, Colorado. And the tricky effort you are looking at right here to try to defuse the suspect's booby trapped home. We don't know what kind of devices exactly are inside the home. This is occurring about four miles from the movie theater, my location. Four miles away is where the suspect, Mr. Holmes, lived.

Randi Kaye is near the apartment, a safe distance away. Police have obviously cord bed off the whole area. She joins us now.

Randi, what is going on there? What what's the latest?

RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well Anderson, I can tell you, they have this whole area taped off with crime scene tape so nobody can get too close to where this is all happening. But let me show you exactly the scene here that I'm talking about, the apartment.

There, on the third floor, is the apartment. You can tell there are some windows broken out. I'm going to take out my ear piece here just because I'm hearing myself a little bit. But I'll tell you what's happening.

Law enforcement said that this place is completely rigged, booby trapped. There are incendiary chemicals and devices inside. In fact, James Holmes told them when he was questioned in the parking lot that he had put some explosives, left some explosives there in his apartment. And boy, he wasn't kidding.

In fact, Anderson, it is so dangerous here, that they actually had to send in robots earlier today with tiny cameras to take a look at what's happening inside. And they found in the living room a web of trip wires. Attached to some of these incendiaries that could blow at any moment.

So, of course, they've evacuated here. There are about five buildings that they have evacuated. But they're still not really sure what they're dealing with. They want the tech experts to take a look, the explosive experts to take a look and see what they have. That could take days or it might take hours. But they want to know what they have before they send a human inside there. But they may actually have to use a robot to detonate what he has set up in there.

There were a lot of fire engines here earlier today. They had cranes going up to that window there on the third floor just trying to get a peek at what exactly was happening inside. But this guy apparently, according to law enforcement, knew what he was doing. And they believe that he targeted these first responder because he told them to come to his apartment. He told them there were explosives but he didn't tell them there were trip wires, Anderson.

COOPER: Interesting, Randi. We will continue to check in - check in with you throughout this hour. Also, we are going to be live, obviously, at the 10:00 hour with Randi with the latest.

Joining us know phone is an expert in dealing with exactly these kinds of situations. He is a retired FBI agent, Ray Lopez. He headed up the bureau's hazardous response unit.

Agent Lopez, appreciate you being with us. We saw agents go in with a response vehicle using a long pole with a camera at the end. What do you make of what's happening now?

RAY LOPEZ, RETIRED FBI AGENT (via telephone): Anderson, those bomb technicians were using that known as pole cam. It allows them to view this remotely.

COOPER: And we're told the suspect's apartment may be loaded down with booby traps. You're a bomb expert. You say there are three possible conditions a bomb expert has to consider. Try to lay those out for us.


LOPEZ: Well, the first one is victim activated. And we're seeing that now with the trip wires. The second one would be time. The individual in this case, the suspect, had left some kind of timed mechanism that if he was not to return to his apartment in 24, 48, 72 hours, whatever the time may be, the device would function via time as an anti-forensic or deny the police and the law enforcement the evidence they could recover in the apartment. And finally, the third one would be a command. But I think we can write that off given the fact he was a lone wolf, indicated he started he was a lone wolf. And more importantly, he has no access to a telephone or the internet or any kind of remote control items he could use to detonate it remotely.

COOPER: How much of an enemy is time right now for these bomb experts?

LOPEZ: Well, I'm watching the same video as I guess everybody else is. They're moving with a purpose. They're not moving recklessly of course. These guys are experts. They are very careful of they do. But they're moving with a purpose.

Again, a time is always your enemy till you absolutely know that time is no longer your enemy. And more importantly, they have what they can see and it is what it is as far as the bobby traps and the trip wires they're look at inside the house. So, they're going to take this little by little, slow as it goes. It's not a hostage situation or a victim is not in that apartment that needs to be rescued so they're going to go methodically through and try to do this correctly.

And again, the key future, there's no victim in there. If they have to use the robot to pre-detonate these things, they will, instead of putting someone in harm's way.

COOPER: So, is there a -- there's only so much I assume you can learn from something like a camera on a pole. I mean, do all -- can you definitely identify what a device is just visually? Or you have to send the robot in and see if something explodes?

LOPEZ: I think ultimately, you know, the next step would be, as you mentioned earlier, would be sending in the robot. And the, they're going to ultimately at the end of the day -- even after they do this, if they use the robot, they are going to have put a human being, a bomb technician, in that building to clear the rest of the apartment. Last thing they want to do is put in a forensic team or investigative -- into that apartment and not have cleared the apartment, putting these people in danger.

Again, these are the bomb tech experts. That's their job, is to make it safe, so the forensic evidence can be collected. So, they're going to handle this very carefully.

COOPER: Well, agent Ray Lopez, I appreciate your time. Thank you for your expertise and letting us know what you think, maybe going on.

Up next, you know, we've been trying to focus as much as possible on the victims. And frankly, a lot of the people's names have not been released. We're not going to speculate on people who may have been one of the 12 who with killed. We've talked tom so of the survivors.

We do want to tell you what we know about the alleged shooter, James Holmes. We'll have the latest developments ahead.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

911 DISPATCHER: 315 and 314, there's at least one person that's been shot but they're saying there are hundreds of people just running around.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: One of the young women killed in the theatre behind me was an aspiring sports caster. She was killed in theatre number nine. Just weeks ago, she escaped a deadly shooting at a mall and blogged about it. We're going to talk to her brother and find out about her life when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: We want to focus as much as possible on the victims, on the survivors, on the first responders who rushed into that theatre at great risk to themselves and apprehended that suspect just minutes after the 911 call came in.

But we do want to try to find out as much as possible about the suspect and his possible motives that we can at this point. I've told you his name, his name is James Holmes.

I'm trying not to use his name too much because frankly all too often I think in these kinds of situations we focus on the killer, on the shooter, and it's that person's name that is remembered weeks and months from now.

I think this person's name shouldn't be remembered. This person is ultimately not important, that the names of people should be remembered. Those who lost their lives here and the family members whose lives will be forever changed.

But what we know about the suspect, at this point, we know he's scheduled for a court appearance on Monday. That's going to be the first time he's actually scene in court.

Outside the theatre, the gas mask he allegedly wore along with head to toe body armor and police he went on this rampage, that was also found.

Drew Griffin's been looking into his alleged arsenal, his background, and how he became what police say he is. Drew, what do we know?

DREW GRIFFIN, CNN INVESTIGATIVE CORRESPONDENT: You know, Anderson, when we come to these scenes and we've been before, we look for the obvious. YouTube rants, any kind of postings on Facebook, e- mails, court cases, ex-girlfriends who might have something to say.


We find nothing about this person that would point to anything that says why he did it.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GRIFFIN (voice-over): He'd been living not far from this movie theatre for the past year because it was also close to the University of Colorado Medical School where Holmes was a graduate student in neurosciences. According to the school, he was in the process of withdrawing as student last month. The school, frankly, won't tell us much about his grades, the classes he took or anything else.

We do know he did give a student lecture this past March on something called micro RNA biomarkers. If you look it up, it's about an emerging area of neuroscience, the study of nerves that relates to cancer research.

And the school says Holmes worked in a paid position there as well but no details. Before that, it was a middle upper class upbringing in California, high school in San Diego and undergraduate degree from the University of California in Riverside in 2010. School administrators there said he had an outstanding academic record.

TIMOTHY WHITE, CHANCELLOR, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE: He was an honor student. So academically, he was at the top of the top. You know, he really distinguished himself from an academic point of view during his four years with us, graduating with highest honors.

GRIFFIN: So how is this honor student, this PhD candidate, this budding neuroscientist, suddenly becoming a completely different person? Dressed and, according to police, armed to kill?

CHIEF DAN OAKES, AURORA, COLORADO POLICE DEPARTMENT: The suspect was dressed all in black. He was wearing a ballistic helmet, a tactical ballistic vest, ballistic leggings, a throat protector and a groin protector and a gas mask, and black tactical gloves.

GRIFFIN: Was the person delusional? Was there mental illness involved? As we try to piece this together, I want to share with you what New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly had released on what he learned of the suspect that may have a tie to the actual movie.

COMMISSIONER RAY KELLY, NYPD: We have some information I believe most of it is public. Clearly, he looks like a deranged individual. He had his hair painted red. He said he was the Joker.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GRIFFIN: Anderson, just like in the shooting in Tucson, Arizona, with the Congresswoman Giffords, just like in the shooting at Virginia tech. We're seeing plotting. We're seeing planning. We're seeing carrying out this act.

In those two cases the end result was mental insanity. Right now, we just don't have anything on this guy that would indicate any kind of reason behind this.

COOPER: We're going to talk to Congresswoman Gabby Gifford's husband, Mark Kelly, coming up shortly. When we talk about planning, did he buy these guns recently? Do we know?

GRIFFIN: We do know. We do know an incredible a lot because of the police work. He had four guns. We're going to show you what they looked like. These are not the guns, but he bought them all locally. Two at a bass pro shop in Denver. Two at a gun store in Aurora, a semiAR-15, A semi-assault rifle. It had a large magazine, 100 round magazine. A 12-gauge shotgun and then two Glock handguns, all of these legally purchased.

The owners of those shops say this guy passed the federal inspections. I want to show you something else, Anderson, that we've got just late this afternoon.

This is a receipt you're looking at of an online suspect, and I won't say his name based on what you said, Anderson. But he bought this tactical gear on July 2nd. He had it second day shipped to the apartment police are at right now.

It contained stuff like urban assault vests, a triple pistol magazine, an M-16 magazine pouch and something called a B-1 knife specifically all colored in black. That was on July 2nd. He had it shipped to his apartment.

COOPER: I guess for investigators, was he always planning to do it at this event, at the opening of this movie, or was he looking for some other target of opportunity? We don't know that at this point.

GRIFFIN: I think the receipt from July 2nd as news of this movie was really getting out, it could lead to an answer there.

COOPER: Drew, appreciate the reporting. We're going to continue to follow all the aspects of this.

So far, there hasn't been much information to come out about who the victims are. And I've gotten a lot of tweets from people saying we want to know about the people who lost their lives. I understand that.

We don't want to speculate. We only want to obviously talk about people whose names have been released, whose families have been notified and whose families we can actually talk to. Just out of respect for them, no one should find out their loved one has been injured or killed on the television.

But we do know about one young woman who was killed inside that movie theatre, Jessica Ghawi. She was just 24 years old, Jessica Ghawi.

I'm going to speak with her brother and we're going to learn a little bit about who Jessica was. About her life and what she was looking forward to in her life. That's coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Welcome back to our continuing live coverage from Aurora, Colorado. Tonight, Aurora's facing the same nightmare frankly that rocked Tucson, Arizona, last year where former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords was shot. Her husband, Mark Kelly join us shortly. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Welcome back at our continuing coverage live from Aurora, Colorado. As we mentioned at the top of this program, the top of this hour. On a day like this, one of inexplicable violence, so much attention goes to the suspected gun -- everyone understandably wants to know who he was.

What possibly could have motivated him to carry out this attack? But tonight, we want to focus on the victims and the survivors and the first responders who risked their lives to try to help others.

We want to try to honor their lives and learn about their lives. We want to tell you about a young woman whose life was cut short by the massacre at this theatre.

Of the 12 that we know were killed here, we only know the name of one of the victims. Her name is Jessica Ghawi. She was a sister, a daughter, an aspiring sports reporter with by all accounts a wealth of potential.

In a moment, I'm going to speak with Jessica's brother who's here. But first, Poppy Harlow's here with a look at Jessica's life -- Poppy.

POPPY HARLOW, CNNMONEY.COM CORRESPONDENT: You know, what's interesting, Anderson, as you've said, this is the only victim that we have identified. The family of Jessica, I've been in touch with all day.

I spoke with her father this morning, and he told me, we hope her injuries are not that bad. So he was holding in his heart the hope she was alive. Her brother, Jordan, told me that indeed he had been told by the coroner's office that she passed away.

What I think is just even more disturbing about this is that Jessica was 24 years old and her alleged killer also just 24 years old. Take a listen and look and learn a little bit more about Jessica Ghawi's story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HARLOW (voice-over): A fiery redhead, passionate about above all else in her personal and professional life her brother, Jordan, tells us. Just 24 years old, Jessica Ghawi beginning life on her own, an aspiring sports caster who lived in Denver and went by Jessica Redfield on the air.

(on camera): What do you want to tell the world about Jessica, your sister, who lost her life far too young?

JORDAN GHAWI, BROTHER OF VICTIM: I want her story to be told. I want her to be remembered and not this gunman. It's a tragedy, but we need to focus on the victims.

HARLOW: Jessica's grieving mother. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'll never have her to hug again or get a text message again or get a funny Facebook picture. That's the hard part right now. Just knowing those are things I'm never going to get to experience again. I was blessed, only for 25 years, but I was blessed.

HARLOW: She moved from her Texas home to Denver after begging her parents to let her pursue her dream job. She'd been looking forward to this big night.

Jessica's close high school friend, Brent Lowic, was visiting her to, quote, "share a special screening of this Batman movie together." Brent's stepfather, Dan Green, told us.

Brent and Jessica were very close, he said. Brent was shot in the backside and also suffered shrapnel wounds. His stepfather says he's undergone surgery, but still has major injuries though is not in critical condition.

Active on Twitter, Jessica's last tweet came around midnight saying, movie doesn't start for 20 minutes. She had narrowly escaped tragedy just a month ago, a sad irony.

Her brother and friends tell us she was at the Eaton Centre Toronto Mall visiting her boyfriend, Jay, a Minor League Hockey player, when a shooting break out in the mall food court just three minutes after Jessica left it.

She recounted the horror on her blog. I was reminded that we don't know when or where our time on earth will end, when or where we will breathe our last breath. I say all the time that every moment we have to live our life is a blessing. I know I truly understand how blessed I am for each second I am given.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: That's Poppy Harlow reporting. Joining me now is Jordan Ghawi, Jessica's brother. Jordan, I don't even know. I'm so sorry for your loss and for your family's loss. How are you holding up?

GHAWI: I don't really have a choice. Right now, I'm just trying to be a pillar of strength for my family and our friends and try to decimate the information as we get it.

COOPER: You flew in from San Antonio where you live. You're a firefighter there. You got the first flight in you could. When did you find out what had happened?

GHAWI: I would estimate within ten minutes of the first shot.

COOPER: Really?

GHAWI: From a victim that was with my sister.

COOPER: What do you want people to know about your sister? GHAWI: It's not just my sister. I want people to know about the 11 others and the others that had been shot. Specifically, my sister is her passion and what she stood for.

Her dreams cut short and how we're going to be able to try to sustain those dreams and push them forward. She was an asset to our family, an asset to her friend and an asset to her community.

COOPER: She dreamed of being a sports caster.

GHAWI: That's correct. She actually left everything she knew to San Antonio to come out her to pursue that dream.

COOPER: And she was doing well I think.

GHAWI: Yes, by all accounts, she was pushing forward and making the right contacts and getting her name out there.

COOPER: And she was big on Twitter. She was even tweeting just before the shooting.

GHAWI: Yes, 20 minutes, I believe before the shooting she sent out a tweet about how excited she was regarding the premiere.

COOPER: What have you been able to talk to -- have you been able to communicate with your parents?

GHAWI: Yes, immediately after receiving the phone call, went and saw my mother and saw my father before I left for Colorado. I've been in constant communication with them and more distant relatives throughout the day.

COOPER: Why do you want to talk? I mean, some people will kind of wonder in a time like this why people come forward. I always think it's because they want their loved one's life known.

GHAWI: People are questioning my use of social media and why I disseminate information that way. I've always been all about full transparency. I'm not going to sugar coat anything. I want the word out about my sister and her life.

And what happened as soon as possible, but I also don't want the media to be saturated with the shooter's name. The more air time these victims have, the less time that man gets his time on television.

I can tell you the shooter in Virginia Tech and Norway and not long ago here in Denver. I don't want that to happen here. I want the victims to be remembered rather than just this coward.

COOPER: I think you raise such an important point. I mean, I've said it. I really don't want to even use this guy's name very much. I don't think it should be known a month from now, a week from now or even tomorrow. I think it should be forgotten.

GHAWI: Of course, we're all going to speculate on a motive, but does it really matter? I'm personally going to focus on the victims and what we can do to keep those memories alive, rather than a coward with a rifle.

Who knows what causes or -- he has a manifesto, I don't care, I never want to hear about it. I don't want to hear his name. This is about the victims.

COOPER: What happens now? How do you -- what's your next step?

GHAWI: Bring her home. We want to bring her home and celebrate her life with family, friends and anybody she's somehow touched.

COOPER: Again, I appreciate you talking. I'm just -- I'm just so sorry for your loss.

GHAWI: I really appreciate your taking the time to get the victim's story out there.

COOPER: Take care. Give your best to my family. Jordan Ghawi. Earlier in the program when we were speaking with Marcus Weaver who was shot last night twice last night, he told us about his friend who was with him last night.

Her name is Rebecca Wingo. The woman you see on your screen. Marcus told us she was badly wounded. He tried to carry her to safety, but they got separated in the chaos and he hasn't seen or heard from her since.


If you know or have any information about her, anyone else or the investigation, there are numbers you can call for information about loved ones. The number is 303-739-1862. That's 303-739-1862.

If you've got any information about the shooting, authorities would very much like you to call crime stoppers at 720-913-7867. Our coverage continues ahead. We're going to take a short break. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Welcome back to our continuing coverage live from Aurora, Colorado. Every shooting is its own tragedy. We saw obviously a tragedy in Tucson, Arizona, back in January of 2011, mass murder in a public place.

Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was meeting with constituents then outside the supermarket when a gunman opened fire. No one can forget that. Six people were killed, 13 were injured.

Giffords was shot in the head. She's been recovering now since then. She left office this year to focus on her continuing recovery from her brain injuries.

In a tweet today, Gifford's husband, former astronaut, Mark Kelly, said they were horrified to hear about the tragedy in Colorado.

Mark Kelly joins me now live. Mark, it was only one and a half years ago when your wife was shot in Tucson. When you heard about what happened here, what first entered your mind?

MARK KELLY, HUSBAND OF FORMER CONGRESSWOMAN GABBY GIFFORDS: Well, this morning, immediately when I got up, I saw a text message from Gabby's former chief of staff who is now the assistant secretary of Homeland Security for Public Affairs, Pia Carusone.

And she said CO shooting. My national reaction was I thought it meant "commanding officer." So it actually took a while, I looked through my e-mail and then I saw the CNN breaking news e-mail that outlined what happened.

You know, Gabby and I had just gotten up. We were just horrified over how could this happen again I mean, just 18 months later.

COOPER: And that was her reaction as well obviously?

KELLY: Yes, it was, you know, just shocked, and sad. You know, sad for the victims and the community there in Colorado. This is going to a really, really difficult time for those folks. It's going to take a long time to recover.

COOPER: As a family member of someone who was shot, as a friend of people who lost their lives, how do you take the next step? I mean, how do you get up the next day? How do you get through something like this?

KELLY: Well, think everybody handles it differently and I think there are those stages of grief. You know, for me, the first thing was disbelief and shock and then I very quickly got to anger.


You know, even a year and a half later, this is a process that takes a long time. I mean, for me, a year and a half later, I think about this every single day. I think about what Gabby goes through.

You know, what the other families of the victims. Christina Taylor Green's family is an example. I mean, the story you just told that I was listening about Jessica that you and her brother talked about.

I mean, just, you know, seemed much like Christina Taylor Green, even though she was much younger. These are tragic, tragic, you know, stories. This is going to take a long time for this community to get over this.

COOPER: What's your advice? There are family members who have lost loved ones who are watching right now. And there are obviously the larger family in Aurora, Colorado, who's suffering through. What's your advice to somebody watching tonight?

KELLY: Well, I think for the folks that were directly affected by this, the victims, the ones that were not killed, and the family members, I mean, it really helped to come together as a community.

That happened in Tucson. I think these towns like Tucson tend to rise to the occasion and that support really helps those people that are experiencing this. So I think it helps. As an example, Gabby's staff, I mean, we immediately got, you know, some professional help for them. In January -- January 8th of 2011, that happened on a Saturday. By Sunday or Monday, there was, you know, professional help for those folks. So that is really important to do that as soon as possible.

COOPER: Well, Mark Kelly, we wish you the best. I appreciate you talking on this very difficult day and our best to your wife and her recovery as well. She's an inspiration. Both of you are inspirations to so many and a help to so many I think in this time. Mark, we appreciate it. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: That does it for this edition of 360. We'll be live one hour from now with the latest information live from Aurora, Colorado. That's at 10 p.m. Eastern. "PIERS MORGAN TONIGHT" starts now.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1207/20/ijvm.01.html

JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL
Shooter Called Himself `The Joker`
Aired July 20, 2012 - 19:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I want to bring in Jane Velez-Mitchell. She`s been following this all day, as well. And Jane, so much new information coming in about the suspect. We`re hearing about the suspects. But these victims are on my mind right now, because I`m thinking, just like this man said, they go to a movie theater. It`s a place of solace for him and for so many. And then they go through this tragedy.

JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HOST: Well, we are human beings, Ryan. My heart is breaking for the families, for the victims, for the survivors who are going to have to deal with this. This is a life-changing event for the survivors.

And I think it does behoove us to have a national reflection on our culture of violence. You can call it that. And later on, in my show, we`re going to analyze that. We`re going to talk about kids exposed to violence. We`re not saying this young man was exposed to violence. We`re just going to bring you the facts. Because if we don`t learn something from this horror, this tragedy, all those -- the 12 who died, the 59 who were injured -- would have suffered in vain. And we don`t want that to happen.

It is absolutely incumbent upon us as a society to take a look at the bigger issues, Ryan.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Absolutely. So Stacy Kaiser, as we back up from this and we take a bird`s eye view -- I guess Stacy Kaiser is no longer with us.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: We can address that to Jane. Believe me, she can answer anything.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, yes.

PHILLIPS: Trust me.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: you know what? That`s a good point. Jane, you`re mentioning we need to learn something from this, and I think you`re right. I think there is something that needs to be learned from this. But I wonder if there is a sense of fear now, after this. If there`s a sense -- minds today.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: I`m trying to hear the question. I`m sorry. Yes. Well, I didn`t hear your question, but I will say that there is definitely something that we can learn from this. We`ve got to look at how much violence kids are exposed to in our culture. We`ve got to look at the impact.

In researching my book "Addict Nation," I found that experts say human beings respond subconsciously and viscerally to pretend violence as if it were real. Subconsciously, we don`t know the difference. Could that be a factor in this case?

Now, we begin with breaking news in the Colorado midnight massacre at the Batman movie opening that`s left 12 dead and 59 wounded in one of the biggest mass shootings in our nation`s history. Right now cops trying to enter as we speak the captured suspect`s booby-trapped apartment. And we`re going to talk to witnesses who faced the gunman eye-to-eye next.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`m being told that he`s in Theater 9. Get us some damn gas masks for Theater 9. We can`t get in it.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He witnessed a baby, an infant, get shot.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There could still be a secondary device. I want everybody out of the east lot. Nobody else back here. I want this place cordoned off in the back. We`re going to need the bomb squad of Denver or whoever.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There were these girls spitting up blood. There were bullet holes in some people`s backs, some people`s arms.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We need rescue in the -- the west parking lot. I need at least three or four ambulances brought in here.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He just pointed the gun directly at my face. I was just terrified. And I just jumped into the aisle.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I need a marked car behind the theater. The suspect in a gas mask. White car in the rear of the lot. Is that the suspect?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. We`ve got rifles, gas mask. He`s detained right now. Got an open door into the theater.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The guy who yelled, "Don`t go to the lobby. He`s got a gun."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Yes, throw it in.
I`m Jane Velez-Mitchell coming to you live. We`ve got breaking news on one of the biggest massacres in our nation`s history. We are learning more chilling details about the madman who killed 12 people and wounded 59 others inside a jam-packed movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, just outside Denver.

This is the suspect. Police say 24-year-old Ph.D. student James Holmes stormed into a midnight premier of the new Batman flick, "The Dark Knight Rises," and opened fire.

Cops say earlier he`d bought a movie ticket, walked into the theater, and then snuck out an exit door of the screening, which he propped open. Then he gathered all his weapons and then geared up all in black, head to toe in black, donning a gas mask, a ballistic helmet, and head to toe body armor for his legs, throat and groin.

With black gloves, police say James Holmes re-entered the theater through the emergency exit he`d propped open, set off two canisters of suspected tear gas, and unleashed a massacre, spraying the moviegoers with bullets from an assault rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun, and at least one of his two handguns, Glocks. It was a terrifying, bloody, chaotic scene.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She got shot. When she got shot, just, God, watching over us, she saw him right there on the stairs. And she picked him up. She picked him up and I guess the shots stopped going and people - - there was an exit at the top, and she ran out the top.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I just ran out. I didn`t turn around. I didn`t look behind me. I just got out. And then there was a moment where my daughter tripped, and I just pulled her up. And I was just dragging her and just thinking got to get out. I just got to get out the doors. If I just fall dead, just get my kids out of here. It was just so horrible.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: This is gut-wrenching. And this is YouTube video of the panicked crowd as they poured out of the movie theater.

Cops reacted with lightning speed, arriving within minutes of the first shots. They quickly captured the suspect, who was at his car in the parking lot immediately behind the theater.

Listen to the 911 and traffic.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fourteen, we have a car shot (UNINTELLIGIBLE). We`ve got a white Kia, white Kia.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Copy. There`s another victim in a white Kia. Where is that vehicle at?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Looking at him. I need a marked car behind the theater, sable (ph) side. Got a suspect in a gas mask.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everyone, hold the air one second. Cars with that white car in the rear of the lot, is that a suspect?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. We`ve got rifles, gas masks. He`s detained right now, got an open door going into the theater.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK. Hold that position. Hold your suspect.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I got seven down in Theater 9. Seven down.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everybody on this. We have assault rifle, we have magazines down inside. Need to watch out for the assault rifle.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right. So the guy`s still in Theater nine. I`m working on the back board right now for that female.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The suspect is going to be a male, unknown race, black camo outfit, believed to be wearing a vest, gas masks and multiple long guns.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Meantime, we`ve got some startling new information. A federal law enforcement source says this man, Holmes -- James Holmes, just 24, mind you -- had dyed his hair red. And when cops surrounded him and captured him behind the movie theater, he told police he was "The Joker." Of course, that`s the comic book character who was Batman`s nemesis.

Breaking news continues to unfold at the suspect`s Aurora apartment, just a few blocks away -- a short ride away from the movie theater. A bomb squad has found a series of -- well, of intricate booby traps, with trip wires connected to explosive and chemical devices. They are working on it as we speak. The police chief says he`s never seen anything like it. Five buildings in the area have been evacuated. Call me, 1-877-JVM-SAYS, 1-877- 586-7297.

Mike Brooks, HLN law enforcement analyst, let`s take a look at the scene again that they are dealing with. Show that video of the officers trying to get into this guy`s apartment. What are they facing? What should they do?

MIKE BROOKS, HLN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: Jane, this was earlier on today when we were covering this wall-to-wall when it was starting to break. And you see right there -- you see a SWAT member with what looks like a mirror standing on top of a SWAT vehicle trying to see inside the windows of that apartment.
But then later on we saw the Aurora fire department bring a tower ladder to the scene and put it up by the window. We saw at least one FBI agent -- there we go, right there. That`s earlier from today. That`s not live right now. They used those hooks to go ahead and pull the window out.

Now, it said to me early on that they could be concerned about possible booby traps. And we found out later from the chief -- from chief Dan Oates of the Aurora Police Department that, in fact, there were booby traps inside that apartment. And that`s what they are dealing with as we speak.

They have some bottles of unknown liquid, wires, string. They didn`t say how the booby traps were set up, but they were using this secondary point of entry to take a look inside that apartment because that FBI agent -- once they got the window off, Jane, I saw him in there with a camera taking pictures.

So they probably took that back, the bomb tech said let`s take a look at this, what exactly do we have, and how can we defeat this to render this apartment safe?

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Unbelievable. More horrifying than the most horrifying film. It is real life. The eyewitness accounts are absolutely harrowing.

Jennifer Seeger was inside the theater. She saw the gunman eye-to-eye and struggled to get away. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JENNIFER SEEGER, SURVIVOR: I waited for him to go up the stairs. I said the second that he goes up the stairs to my friend, Corbin, we`ve got to crawl. We got to get out of here. At that point, you know, I was trying to crawl out, but then everybody was crawling back in, and they were saying, "Don`t go over there. He`s going to shoot everybody trying to get out of the main doors." And he was.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Here`s our first look at the suspect, 24-year-old James Holmes. This is from his high school yearbook. And then let`s take a look at his photo from his college days.

We don`t have a mug shot yet. A source close to the investigation confirms, however, the gunman`s hair was painted red. And he told cops he was, quote, "The Joker."

Now, here`s footage from the previous Batman film. We all know The Joker is Batman`s nemesis.

Dr. Dale Archer, psychiatrist, I find it absolutely just chilling that the suspect at the Batman flick, the premier, is killing people, dressed or with the hair, assuming the persona of The Joker. What do you make of it in terms of psychological analysis of this individual?

DR. DALE ARCHER, PSYCHIATRIST: Well, first of all, I think he was delusional. And we don`t have any history of a psychiatric past with him, but I`ll be willing to bet there were warning signs out there.

First of all, he left school a month ago. So that clearly indicates that something wasn`t right.

But this is a guy that built his life and a fantasy world obviously around Batman and all of the Batman movies. And in this particular case, the fantasy built and built and built. I think he had a psychotic break. And then the fantasy, he decided to turn into reality with chilling results.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: At first, these poor people at the midnight premier of the showing of "Batman" didn`t even know -- they thought it was actually -- this gunman in full body armor was part of the show and that the sounds were from the film, from the movie itself.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DARIUS HARVEY, SHOOTING WITNESS: In the bottom right corner all you see is flashes of light and loud sounds. But it also climaxed with the movie. So you couldn`t really tell. And once I heard people screaming and yelling, "Get down," I realized the seriousness of the situation. And from there I tried to just help my friends get out. I saw multiple of my friends and people that I didn`t know get shot.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Look at this cell-phone video shot by one of the people at the theater last night. And we`ve got it from YouTube. Let`s go to that cell-phone video. We showed it, but it bears repeating, because you see some of the people there -- we`ll show it to you in a second, covered in blood leaving the movie theater.

Law enforcement tells us the suspect bought a ticket, walked into the theater, and then snuck out the exit door. Look at these people covered in blood as they are leaving. And then he gathered his weapons, went back in and just started shooting.

Now, I want to go to David Katz, firearms expert, former DEA agent, he set it off. He started with these two suspected tear gas canisters, and then he shot a bullet up into the ceiling. And then he went for the massacre. What does the tear-gas-like substance tell you?

DAVID KATZ, FORMER DEA AGENT: Well, the deployment of the gas is going to have several immediate effects. No. 1, it`s going to irritate the eyes, mucus membranes and skin. You`re not going to be able to see. You`re going to panic. That`s going to make people less able to escape. It gives him -- basically shooting fish in a barrel. So it clearly shows that he wanted to get these people -- handicap their ability to get away. He maybe fired the shot in the air to start a mass panic. People start to huddle and bunch up and he starts firing into the crowd.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)


BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At first I thought it was a prank by the theater.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Joking around I say that`s my brother. I say, these sound effects have gotten pretty good. And then you can start to hear them again. And you hear people screaming.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He throws a tear grenade. And, you know, we`re thinking at that point it`s part of the show.

HARVEY: All you see is flashes of lights and loud sounds. But it also climaxed with the movie. So you couldn`t really tell.

CHRIS RAMOS, WITNESS: On the front right emergency exit, a door opens, and then from there something is thrown up in the air. And, honestly, we thought it was part of the movie.

CHIEF DAN OATES, AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT: The suspect was dressed all in black. He was wearing a ballistic helmet, a tactical ballistic vest, ballistic leggings, a throat protector and a groin protector and a gas mask and black tactical gloves.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: James Holmes, 24 years old, about 6`3", so he`s a tall guy. Highly educated. Graduated high school, San Diego, undergrad degree, University of California - Riverside, 2010. He was in the process of getting his Ph.D. at the University of Colorado, Denver, in neuroscience. No easy task.

Is it significant that he was in the process of withdrawing?

Also fascinating, absolutely no criminal background. All cops can find is a speeding ticket. And now we learn that he was -- dyed -- his hair was dyed as The Joker, dyed red. And he told cops when they found him behind the movie theater, "I`m The Joker."

This is YouTube video that we`re going to be showing you right there of people streaming out again. Tragically, 12 people dead, 59 injured.

How do you go from somebody who`s only had a speeding ticket to this? And could it be significant that he was dropping out of his undoubtedly grueling neuroscience Ph.D. program?

For that I want to go to Dan Bongino, former Secret Service agent but more importantly, premeditation violence specialist. This was incredibly premeditated. You`ve got -- and we`ll show you this, as well. Cops dealing with this situation at his apartment. He booby-trapped his apartment.

In fact, he set up techno music that was playing over and over again that somehow, I think, some suspect he wanted to trigger, to use the music to trigger something going off at his house, possibly. Neighbors complained about it, but they didn`t go through the door.

And then he comes in armed with all of this, the head-to-toe ballistics, the body armor, the head-to-toe body armor, dressed in black, the four weapons, the tear-gas-like canisters. What do you make of the premeditation as a premeditation expert?

DAN BONGINO, FORMER SECRET SERVICE AGENT: Sure. There was a level of sophistication here that`s disturbing.

My time in the Secret Service, what we found out was political targeted violence is really no different from targeted violence, whether it be a Columbine-type incident in a school or an incident like this that was clearly laid out with a level of sophistication and planning. That took some time. It`s disturbing. And there seems to be a trend emerging here. And I believe that the media coverage itself becomes a rewarding -- rewarding part of the process for those who have had that break with reality.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Meaning he might have been seeking attention. We don`t know that.

BONGINO: Sure.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: But obviously, as an expert, you`re saying it`s a possibility.

I want to go out to somebody who came face-to-face, was very near this suspect. Corbin Bates, you were in the theater. Tell us what you saw from the moment it started, from the moment you spotted this guy. Corbin, tell us the story.

CORBIN BATES, WITNESS (via phone): Hi, thanks for having me on the show.

The story starts like any casual night. I did not think anything else happened. I arrived at the movie theater, and I was waiting for my friend to meet me there. So I already went into the theater, nine. I grabbed a seat. The second row was available, a couple seats.

And I noticed a guy walked in after me and sat down in the very first row to the very far right seat. As he was sitting there he seemed like a normal casual person. You wouldn`t think of anything.

And then he gets a phone call. Most people would take their phone calls out to the movie theater lobby. Instead, this person went to the emergency exit, opened it, and propped it open with his foot. And he -- from what I could see from the crack that was left in the door, he was making gestures or on the phone as if he was -- somebody was trying to meet him there at that location.
And then my friend had contacted me to tell me that she had arrived at the location. And I stepped out of the auditorium to bring her back in. Everything was black. The door seemed like it was shut. And the movie was about to start. Twenty minutes within -- 20 minutes within the movie...

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Corbin, I`m going to stop you right there. Could you hang on? We`re going to be back in one moment. I want you to tell me what happened from the moment you see him come in with the full body armor. Stay right there.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: All right. We are looking at YouTube video of bloodied moviegoers leaving this house of horrors, the first night of "The Dark Knight Rises." They were there for a midnight showing.

Corbin Bates was right there. He saw the suspect when he first came in. Then the guy takes, it would appear, a phone call, leaves through an exit door. Now, Corbin, pick it up when he comes back through that cinema room exit door. He comes back in dressed in full body armor. Tell us what happened from that point on, Corbin.

BATES: Yes, 20 minutes into the film, the door swung back open, and a guy walked into the theater probably around the height of 5`8", 5`9", dressed in all black. He was wearing a black helmet. He had a black gas mask on. And he had black body armor on. And the only thing that you could make or see anything out of him that wasn`t covered was only his eyes.

Everybody thought that this was a thrill stunt for the movie, just to help get everybody riled up. But he reached out a canister, and he threw it into the audience, which was a little bit behind me. And it went off. And I realized that this wasn`t any regular party -- party smoke. This was some toxic gas.

Immediately, people`s eyes were -- were wet. They were coughing. It was getting harder for people to breathe, especially my friend who had asthma. And within two seconds of after that canister went off, gunshots started firing.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: And he was shooting. What did you see then?

BATES: He was shooting...

VELEZ-MITCHELL: I heard the first shot went into the ceiling -- go ahead.


BATES: I`m sorry. When the gun started shooting, immediately myself -- my friend and myself, we jumped down to the ground. And we did not move. We were calm about the situation, but still at the same time at alert of what was going on in our surroundings.

And while we were down on the ground, we could hear these gunshots going on in the background. And we could hear all of these people screaming and yelling in the background. And the people ahead of me, they were -- they were scared, as well. But I was just trying to calm them down, trying to let them know that the more attention you bring towards us, you will probably bring that person back to us. And the worst -- and the worst could probably happen.

So as we`re trying to calmly guide them out to bear crawl their way out of there, you can hear the shooter`s clips coming from the bullet falling to the ground. And some of them would touch your skin, and it would be still burning hot. And at the same time everybody in the background is just screaming. And the people ahead of us are trying to get them out of there.

Once we finally got into the aisle of -- the aisle -- the opposite aisle -- excuse me, the opposite side of the auditorium, people with trying to run towards the exit doors to try to get back to the lobby. But they started running backwards, because somebody noticed the shooter coming back around the other side, trying to pick off one by one who was trying to exit the auditorium.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Kicked through the door. And he was in, like she said, a riot helmet. She said was -- he had a bulletproof vest on. You know. She said he was completely covered in all black with goggles.

RAMOS: I froze up. I was scared. I -- honestly -- I honestly thought I was going to die.

SEEGER: All you hear is just gunfire left and right. Any time somebody tried to just get up and run away, he would just shoot them. He didn`t have a specific agenda. He was just shooting people left and right. He was shooting little kids, you know, like 6-year-old kids, 3-year-old kids. I -- and moms, you know. I`m like 22 years old and I didn`t get shot. And it`s like, you know, why didn`t he take me, you know, instead of that 3-year-old or a 6-year-old?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A cop came walking through the door holding a little girl in his arms, and she wasn`t -- she wasn`t moving.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: and I looked up for a brief second. I saw he was reloading.

HARVEY: I see flashes of light and loud sounds. But it all sort of climaxed with the movie so you couldn`t even tell.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It exploded underneath our seats, and then we realized it was tear gas just by the way our eyes were stinging.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He did not resist. He did not put up a fight.

RAMOS: The image in our head is stuck in there. And I still have the ticket right here. The ticket right here. And honestly I`m never going to forget this night.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: "The Dark Knight Rises" midnight movie premiere in a movie theater outside Denver, Colorado, turns into the scene of a massacre. This is the suspect, 24-year-old James Holmes, a PhD candidate in neuroscience at a local university, of all things. He was dropping out of the program.

And he came, according to cops, head-to-toe body armor. After slipping into the theater, he slipped out, changed and came back loaded to kill according to cops. And police, incredible work, got there within a couple minutes.

Let`s listen to the extraordinary dispatch chatter between police converging on the scene and the dispatcher.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: 14, we have 14 (inaudible) shot. Wait 240 -- John. It`s a Kia -- white Kia.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Copy. There`s another victim in a white Kia. Where is that vehicle at?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I need a marked car behind the theater, stable side. The suspect is in a gas mask.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hold there one second. That white car in the rear of the lot, is that a suspect?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. We`ve got rifles, gas mask, he`s detained right now. I`ve got an open door going into the theater.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ok. Hold that position. Hold your suspect.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I got seven down in Theater 9. Seven down.

(inaudible)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We`ve got 25. Everybody on this. There`s assault rifle, we have magazines down inside. So we go watch out for the assault rifle.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right. So the guy`s still in Theater 9. I`m working on a backboard right now for that female.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The suspect is going to be male, unknown race, black camo outside outfit, believed to be wearing a vest, gas mask and multiple long guns.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: That`s the suspect`s car. He was caught right outside the movie theater. Again, 12 dead, 59 injured. And the drama continues at this hour because cops say he booby trapped his apartment, which is just a short drive away.

I want to go out to Kyung Lah, CNN correspondent, you`ve been tracking the unfolding developments as cops try to get into his apartment but are having trouble because it`s so heavily booby trapped. What`s the latest?

KYUNG LAH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, they want to make sure that they don`t make the situation certainly worse Jane. What they whey want to know is what do those trip wires -- what are they going to do? And there`s a lot of concern about whether they can enter the apartment very safely.

Now, you`re seeing the apartment, that building right over my right shoulder. You`re not seeing a lot of activity because authorities are being abundantly cautious because of all the information they have. The trip wires, this booby trap, the chemical devices. There`s a lot of concern about going in.

Now, meanwhile, while all that is happening a lot of the people who live around here, the five apartment buildings that have been evacuated because of this booby-trapped apartment, they`re all asking, what about this man? What could we have seen? What did we miss?

And we met a man who actually had a beer with the suspect just a few days ago on Tuesday. Here`s what he told us.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JACKIE MITCHELL, SUSPECT`S NEIGHBOR: I live down there over the next block. And I woke up this morning to helicopters and yellow tape. And I`m like, "Well, I`m going to tell them (inaudible) -- but I mean to see this and knowing this guy`s down the street at the bar with me drinking beer and he lives right here and I`m on the next block with explosives? That`s insane.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LAH: and when we asked him was there any other sign? What did he look like? What was he wearing? He said he just looked like a college student. That there wasn`t anything that would trigger alarm in his mind that something might be happening behind that calm exterior.

Now Jane, we are getting a little bit of news. We are just hearing that there are robots that have now been dispatched at some point to go into the apartment. And that`s perhaps why we`re seeing the human forces start to back away from the apartment as robots start to make their way in and try to figure out how to make this apartment complex safe for the people who live here, Jane.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Kyung, I want to ask you about the crazy music. Neighbors reported that there was techno music playing over and over again to the point where they wanted to complain. Tell us about that and why some suspect that could have been some kind of part of the booby trap?

LAH: Oh, absolutely. Now, I spoke to a woman who lives below the suspect. At midnight -- she says she never really ever heard anything out of the apartment. That he was fairly quiet. She only actually saw him one other time before all of this happened.

And she said suddenly at midnight all of this loud techno music came on. It was very, very loud. She called the police. And the police could not respond because of what was happening at the movie theater.

And so what happened after that, they figured out that there was this trigger, that there were these explosives inside. And so she believes that because the music came on right at midnight that he wasn`t there, that it was set to a timer. That it was perhaps a trap for first responders so that when they went in because a neighbor complained that something could have happened to those first responders, Jane.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Unbelievable the intricacy of this entire tragedy. Ed Lavandera, CNN correspondent, I understand you`re more -- you`re closer to the movie theater itself. What are you learning? New information about all the guns that he had were completely legally purchased?

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. We`ve been told by a law enforcement source, Jane, that the four weapons -- he brought three of them in, an AR-15 assault rifle, a shotgun and a Glock handgun, that all of these weapons were legally purchased at some point during the last six months here at three different stores in the Denver, Colorado area. Law enforcement officials have been descending on those places, checking all the paperwork trying to get to the bottom of just where these guns came from.

It`s not clear where he got all of that ballistic covering that he walked into the theater with. We`re not sure where he got all of that. But the clear indication is that all of this had been planned for some time. And there`s clear evidence at this point at least from law enforcement perspective that there was a great deal of planning that went into this.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Oh, yes, clearly. And as one of our experts just said, eBay -- when he said where did he get all that body armor, his response was probably eBay. We don`t know that for certain. But his point is it`s easily available.


Mike Brooks, here`s one of the most, well, chilling facts that we`ve learned. Investigators found a drum magazine capable of carrying 100 rounds of ammo, which was attached to the AR-15 rifle. What was the potential for horror there?

MIKE BROOKS, HLN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: Well, you know, that graphic we`re showing weapons, that`s a 30-round magazine in the bottom of that AR-15. So you take that 30-round off and put another magazine on with 100 rounds, Jane. All he has to do is keep pulling that trigger on that semi-automatic AR-15 assault weapon. And every time you pull that trigger another round comes out of the barrel.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Indeed. The terrified witnesses inside the movie theater say they watched the gunman reload his weapons. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, after all the shooting was done, I looked up for a brief second. I saw he was reloading and walking towards the back of the theater and it arches up. And just saw he was walking back there. I grabbed my girlfriend and my friend and I said we got to get going because he`s reloading, now`s our chance.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Wendy Murphy, former prosecutor, you and I have covered so many crime stories, trials, this is one of the most horrific things in my too long career I have ever experienced.

WENDY MURPHY, FORMER PROSECUTOR: Yes. I mean sometimes you just are speechless, Jane. But there`s no question that people will want to know why. That`s the most important question. I don`t think we should justify it. I don`t care if he`s mentally ill. I frankly think he`s probably crazy like a fox because there was so much planning.

Here`s what I think is a really interesting red flag in terms of understanding what may have happened that make this guy angry. I do think this is rage and anger. He wanted to kill a lot of people both at his apartment and at the theater, and he succeeded.

And I think we have to focus on the fact that he left this PhD program. Remember, he was in his first year. You don`t get kicked out of your first year in a PhD program especially not if you`re an honor student and everybody agrees he was capable and smart. You don`t get kicked out after your first year unless there`s something very creepy and weird and dangerous and there`s a liability risk.

And I know that we technically are being told he withdrew, but because he`s so smart and wasn`t failing in an academic sense, it`s likely that he was allowed to withdraw but was in fact encouraged -- pushed out if you will -- because everybody around him saw danger signs. I think that`s what we`re going to hear at the end of the day about what sparked this man`s rage.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: This is a very, very sad, sad evening. This 24-year- old PhD student accused of -- well, he hasn`t been formally charged. He`s going to be in court Monday. But cops suspect he killed 12 human beings and injured 59.

More in a second.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I laid down at first to take cover. And then I helped my friends that I was with get out. And we jumped out off the back of the seats and went into the back exit door. I saw people from a lady being pregnant and I saw people from a father having his kids with him, kids that are like 4 years old. And then I saw even grown men, actually a teacher of mine was actually there.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Many have suggested there are bizarre parallels between the movie "The Dark Knight Rises" and the mass shooting that occurred at the first showing -- the midnight showing in the suburb of Denver. Watch this clip from Warner Brothers Pictures.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(EXCERPT FROM "THE DARK KNIGHT RISES")

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Michael Medved, film critic, nationally syndicated radio host, you`ve seen the movie. Are there scenes where the villain terrorizes a large group in an enclosed space, football stadium and a stock exchange? What`s the significance of that in your opinion, if any?

MICHAEL MEDVED, FILM CRITIC: I think none. Because, look, the shooter clearly did not see the movie; this was the first showing. It was about 20 minutes in. Apparently that he began shooting.

And in the film, the villain, "Bane" played by Tom Hardy, is the leader of a whole group of quasi-religious terrorists. So this guy was a lone wolf. I think that if anything he identified with the Joker, apparently, who was the villain in the previous Batman film.

I don`t think we should blame the movie. I don`t think we should blame gun culture. I don`t think we should our sick society. We should blame one demented profoundly evil individual and he should be brought to justice.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, I spent several months researching our cultural addiction to violence in my book, "Addict Nation". And here`s some of the information that I uncovered.

The subconscious mind cannot be counted on, according to experts, to distinguish between pretend violence and real violence. According to some experts, we react physically to a scary movie by gasping or jumping in our seats because our psyche is processing the violence as if it were real.

Now, we do not know what the suspect was exposed to in terms of any kind of violence from the media. But psychiatrist Dale Archer, what do studies show us about the impact of violence in general to children who are exposed? Because, as I found out, the average American child will se 200,000 violent acts and 16,000 murders on TV by the age of 18 and that doesn`t even include other media.

DALE ARCHER, PSYCHIATRIST: Well, you`re absolutely right, Jane. The younger the child is, the less they`re able to distinguish between fantasy and reality. So the younger you are being exposed to violence, the greater likelihood that this could become a problem down the road. There have been numerous studies that have backed that out.

And in this particular case, if you take a guy who, as I suspect, was starting to become psychotic and he became delusional focused on a very, very violent villain, i.e., The Joker. And he at some point can no longer draw the line between what`s real and what`s fantasy because his brain is becoming psychotic.

And I think that`s why he dropped out of school. I think all of that`s going to start to become clear. But at some point he makes the decision to act out his delusions. So I really think this is going to make a lot of sense once we get more information about what transpired in the last month or two.
And, remember, the fact that he was smart and calculating and planning has nothing to do with the psychiatric illness. You can be a genius and still be a schizophrenic.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Absolutely. Michael Medved, film critic, you want to jump in?

MEDVED: I do. And the whole problem with this particular analysis is, look, have media become less violent in recent times? No. They`ve become increasingly violent. This movie which is a profoundly violent, dark, disturbing film is rated PG-13. Today there`s material that once would have been rated X or NC-17 that is PG-13. Things are more violent than ever.

What`s been happening to violence in the real world, it`s been going down. And the problem here is I think there is an impact of violent entertainment. I`ve been writing against it and frankly crusading against it for 30 years. But the problem is that it defines normal for people. It makes people more fearful than they should be.

What Americans should recognize in the face of all of this is the last time we had a seriously violent incident of any kind in any movie theater where 1.3 billion people buy tickets every year in America was 2010. Movie theaters are not unsafe. America --

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: HLN is all over the story. Nancy Grace is looking out for you. She has got the steps you can take if you ever witness a shooting, a massacre like this one. That`s 8:00 p.m. Eastern. And then at 9:00 p.m., Dr. Drew goes inside the mind of the shooter. Finally 11:00 p.m. "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" has the response from the makers of "The Dark Knight Rises".

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JORDAN GHAWI, BROTHER OF VICTIM: I keep saying -- the word I keep using is "passion", because that`s the one word that describes her best. I just want to keep that memory alive and in the hearts and minds of everyone out here.

But again, not just her, I want the rest of the victims, the dead and the wounded to be remembered. I don`t want that gunman`s name spoken. I want for that to be the name to be remembered is that of Jessica Ghawi`s or another victim`s name. And remember what they stood for and what their lives meant.


SANDY PHILLIPS, MOTHER OF VICTIM: The last she texted to me was, "I`m so excited about your trip here next week. I need my mama."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: If there is any example of our culture of violence and it`s not just the United States, we live in a global village, is that the young woman that those two individuals are talking about, brother and mother of one of the victims of this horror, last month that same victim, Jessica Ghawi had just survived some kind of a mass shooting in Toronto. This beautiful woman survived a mass shooting in Toronto and then she died in this mass shooting.

Ten seconds, Wendy, I`m without words.

MURPHY: I don`t know what to say. I mean this is probably the most heartbreaking story I have heard so far. It`s just unfathomable.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: As we look at YouTube video of one of the worst massacres in recent memory at a movie theater playing "The Dark Knight Rises" in a Denver suburb, I want to get some final thoughts starting with David Katz, firearms expert, former DEA agent.

DAVID KATZ, FIREARMS EXPERT, FORMER DEA AGENT: As bad as this is, it could have been a lot worse. The armor he was equipped with would defeat the rounds carried by the police officers. The weapons he had would have defeated their armor.

I don`t know why he stopped shooting, but he could have killed a lot more people including some of the first responders, the brave officers, who actually took him out.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Mike Brooks, final thoughts.

BROOKS: I tell you, I think that he looked like he was ready to confront police and he had booby-trapped his apartment. It didn`t seem like he was going to be going back there. What was going really on with him? We hope to find out very shortly Jane, what the real story is.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Dr. Dale Archer, quick final thoughts?

ARCHER: This is a psychotic individual who had -- he`s bright and I think as the evidence comes out, we`re going to see that that was the case. This is going to be another Jared Loughner.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: And Wendy Murphy, you have the final word.

MURPHY: No, I think this is not a sick man, this is an evil man. And he knew damned well what he was doing when he chose "Dark Knight" to be the film where he would execute so many these people, "Dark Knight" indeed.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, I just want to say that I hope that those who died and suffered have not suffered in vain, nor their families. I hope that this leads to a national time of reflection on the issue of violence and how we can proactively prevent it and not wait for the next disaster.

Nancy next.

END

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1207/20/ng.01.html
NANCY GRACE
Gunman Kills 12 in Colorado Movie Theater

Aired July 20, 2012 - 20:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Seventy-one people were shot.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Nightmare at theater 9.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE) and he`s in theater 9.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Horrific, horrific Friday.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Twelve are deceased.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And the guy`s just standing right by the exit, just firing away.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He had his hair painted red. He said he was the Joker.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was a massacre.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A gunman opens fire.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: An AR-assault rifle.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE) very distinct, Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A 12-gauge shotgun.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He opened fire in a theater.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And a .40-caliber Glock handgun.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Crowded with people watching the premier of the new Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises."

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He just walked right through.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We need rescue inside the auditorium, multiple victims!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He started going up the stairs and reloading.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`ve got a child victim!

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Don`t know a motive right now.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I need rescue at the back door of theater 9 now!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The guy next to me actually got shot.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Women and children are screaming.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: One guy who was on all fours crawling.


UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He had a gas mask on.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Smoke coming out.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There was this girl spitting up blood.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He came in from the right.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The night`s entertainment (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, hello, beautiful!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NANCY GRACE, HOST: Breaking news tonight. We are live. Hundreds crowd into a sold-out Batman screening at the local cineplex. But when the lights go down, the evildoer is not on the screen, he is in the theater, overloaded with guns and ammo, including an AR-15 assault weapon, a 12- gauge and multiple Glock .40-calibers, dressed in solid black, gas mask, full body bulletproof gear.

At this hour, 71 confirmed shooting victims -- 71! The body count in limbo. As we go to air, dead bodies still exactly where they fell, gunned down at the movies. Eerie words from the killer, a Ph.D. candidate in neuroscience, quote, "I`m the Joker."

We are taking your calls. Straight out to Nia Bender joining us there in Denver. Nia, what`s the latest?

NIA BENDER, CLEAR CHANNEL DENVER: The latest right now is trying to figure out exactly how they`re going to disarm this man`s apartment, which is in northern Aurora. He made it clear to them when they arrested him that he had explosives at his apartment.

Boy, he wasn`t kidding. He`s got a very intricate set of incendiary devices, as well as chemical devices, and they`re all rigged to trip-wires right now. So everybody`s been on the scene today trying to figure out exactly how they`re going to approach that.

GRACE: Susan Candiotti, CNN`s national correspondent, also joining us. You know, this was a midnight movie screening, one of the biggest blockbusters in movie history, "The Dark Knight Rises." But the reality is, Susan Candiotti, the shooter had plenty of time. The gunfire didn`t start until -- we`ve gotten estimates 15, 20, 30 minutes into the movie.

He had time to look around and see who his victims were. He knew they were largely teenagers, even a little baby one of his victims, Susan Candiotti. How did it go down?

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A 4-month-old baby, as a matter of fact, Nancy. And not only did he have time to look over people in that theater, he also obviously had time to plan all this, to set a booby-trap up in his apartment and to plan out, allegedly, exactly what he was going to do.

So sources tell us and police tell us that when he got to the movie theater, the first thing he did was like everybody else, he bought a ticket. He goes inside. He goes to an exit door and props it open. And then, they say, he gears up. He puts on all that body armor. He gets his guns ready to go. And then...

GRACE: Susan! Susan!

CANDIOTTI: ... they say he starts to open fire.

GRACE: Susan!

CANDIOTTI: Yes?

GRACE: Susan Candiotti, nobody noticed a door propped open with somebody out in the hallway putting on full body protective gear and loading up with assault -- an assault weapon, a 12-gauge, for Pete`s sake? How do you hide that? Nobody noticed a thing?

CANDIOTTI: Well, we`re still trying to find out from witnesses what happened. But we know this, Nancy. He parked his car outside. So he came in possibly in the back. We`re not sure where that exit door exactly was inside that theater or how far he had it propped open.

We`re left to wonder at this point, was it just a little bit so that no one was able to notice it, or they were so focused on this film, because remember, it happened about 15 to 20 minutes into the movie when he started firing.

GRACE: Well, I just don`t understand how nobody noticed anything! To Jean Casarez, joining us. Jean, did he come in dressed in solid black? I mean, how did he get all this gear in? I know his Honda (SIC) was parked out in the parking lot. But what, did he do go out to the car and get it and bring it in, nobody noticed? Can anybody just come in the back door to the theater and open fire? Seventy-one shooting victims, Jean!

JEAN CASAREZ, "IN SESSION": That`s right. No, obviously, the door was opened, that exit door, to go out and to prop open.

You know, Nancy, information is coming in as we speak. Something we`re just learning here is that when he left his apartment to go to the movie theater, that he left on very loud techno-music. And so authorities are saying what they believe his intent was, was that it was so loud to disturb all the other neighbors in the apartment complex, that someone with a master key might go in to turn it down, and they would have been another victim.

Of course, that didn`t happen. But now days and weeks to undo that system he had in his apartment.

GRACE: Explain that again to me, Jean Casarez, because it`s my understanding that he left his apartment there near the university -- everyone, a Ph.D. candidate in neuroscience, this guy -- apparently leaves his apartment totally booby-trapped so when police go in there to search, it`ll blow up on them. It could blow up the entire apartment complex.

What do you know, Jean? I understand cops -- give me that video, Liz -- cop putting cameras up the side of his apartment to look in before they send in the SWAT team, so they don`t blow the whole building.

What do we know about that, Jean Casarez?

CASAREZ: Well, what we know is that in regard to music, he left loud, blaring music going on when he left that booby-trapped apartment. And law enforcement believes the purpose and the reason was to lure somebody in to turn the music down and they would have been blown up.

But as you can see, law enforcement and federal officials much too smart for that. There they are on the outside of the residence, looking in to see exactly how they start to undo all the wiring that he allegedly did.

GRACE: Joining me right now, a neighbor of the suspect, the movie theater suspect. Bill Leung is with us, joining us from Denver. Bill, thank you for being was.

So what does it feel like the morning after to know one of your neighbors is allegedly a mass shooter and had his apartment booby-trapped so all of the neighbors could conceivably go up in flames when police came in the door?

BILL LEUNG, LIVES IN SAME APARTMENT BUILDING AS SUSPECT (via telephone): I mean, I don`t really know what to think. At the moment, I just feel kind of numb to the entire situation, you know?

GRACE: What is -- what are you learning there in the apartment complex about this guy? What has been observed, if anything? I mean, apparently, nothing really stood out before this shooting.

LEUNG: I mean, from what -- I never had actually met him or, like, actually, I think I might have saw him in passing once or twice. But I mean, he might have been going to his car. I might have been just walking to school. I never actually, you know, like, had any conversation with him.

But I guess one of my other, like, floormates, you know, one of my other apartment mates who lives on the same floor, he said he tried to say hi to him one time, but he kind of just dismissed him and brushed him off and didn`t really respond. So I guess, I mean, somewhat of a recluse.

GRACE: A recluse. Susan Candiotti, we`re speaking to one of the alleged shooter`s neighbors there in that apartment complex -- those apartment buildings almost exclusively university students, this guy a Ph.D. candidate in neuroscience. You know, he is no dummy.

I know exactly where the ultimate defense is going to be headed. But he went to great lengths, Susan Candiotti, to amass all this gear, to prop the door open, to have everything out in the car. He assessed his victims. And apparently, when the movie is on, you know, all the previews in and the movie starts, he comes up the front -- it`s like a stadium type amphitheater movie, you know, that goes upward -- and here he comes with all his weapons as everybody is watching the movie.

They`re all watching, and then they see him coming up with the AR-15 assault rifle, coming up as they`re all watching. Apparently, a lot of the people thought this was some hoax, that it was part of the show.

CANDIOTTI: They did. Well, one of the first things that happened was he set off a canister that was either a smoke canister, a flash can or something with tear gas. So yes, you`re right, a lot of people in there said, We thought this maybe was part of the deal. And you know, some people were even dressed up in costume, and they thought, well, maybe someone was dressed up, and maybe that`s why he didn`t stand out, Nancy.

But all I know is that there was a flash, and the next thing you know, the weapons started firing. He started shooting. They said it didn`t look like he was aiming at anyone in particular, he just started shooting. One witness describes he first shot into the ceiling, and then lowered his weapon and shot into the ground.

And also, we learn this. He bought those weapons, according to our law enforcement source, in May, June and July. He was the purchaser. He bought them legally at some area stores there, right there around Denver, three different stores. And they`re looking at videos now to see whether they`ve got him on tape doing that, as well, Nancy.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: 315 and 314 (INAUDIBLE) shooting (INAUDIBLE) theater (INAUDIBLE) East Alameda Avenue. (INAUDIBLE) somebody shooting in the auditorium.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We were watching the movie, and like, as one of the action scenes, like, you know, started up, like, gunshots were firing, and like, we heard, like, explosions or something, like, to our left.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My friend sitting next to me turned. Part of a bullet hit her in the mouth.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He started shooting off some rounds, and that`s when we realized it was serious. There was a lot of screaming. And it was -- it was shocking.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`m being told that he`s in theater 9. Get us some damned gas masks for theater 9! We can`t get in it!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Police officers responded and found the gunman in the back of the theater, outside in the parking lot, near a car, in possession of a gas mask and at least a rifle and a handgun.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GRACE: We are taking your calls. Right now, 71 shooting victims, the dead bodies still laying where they fell inside that cineplex. A midnight screening of Batman "The Dark Prince Rises" (SIC) goes awry.

Straight out to Dr. James Denton, trauma surgeon, Medical Center of Aurora, who actually treated many of these shooting victims. Dr. Denton, thank you for being with us.

DR. JAMES DENTON, AURORA MEDICAL CTR. TRAUMA SURGEON (via telephone): You`re welcome.

GRACE: Dr. Denton, many of us have hiked and skied in Colorado, absolutely beautiful. This is not the thing, I`m sure, that surgeons expect in the ER there. What happened last night?

DENTON: Well, initially, we got the first couple of patients, but -- that were not severely injured. And then our EMS colleagues made us aware of a mass casualty event that was going on. So we quickly started to recruit and activate our disaster plan as patients came in. And within about 20 minutes, we had 15 patients, many of which were critical.

GRACE: What was the scene there in the hospital like last night, with the ER patients flooding in from the cineplex?

DENTON: Well, it was initially a little bit chaotic, as you might imagine. But I would have to say that as the resources arrived, it became quickly organized and quietly professional in a fairly rapid fashion.

GRACE: What injuries did the various victims suffer?


DENTON: We saw a variety of gunshot wounds from -- ranging from what appeared to be handgun wounds to shotgun wounds to high-velocity rifle wounds. These involved the neck, the head, the thorax and the extremities.

GRACE: Dr. Denton, when did you learn what had happened?

DENTON: Well, information trickled in over an hour or two. We didn`t have any details initially. We knew that we had a lot of seriously injured patients and were focused on that. We were able to piece together from the wounds that probably someone used a variety of weapons and with very bad intentions.

GRACE: We are taking your calls. Everyone, we are live there on the scene, a mass shooting, the first of its kind. These are called soft targets. Repeat, soft targets.

Out to Sergeant Ed Simpola (ph), commander of the Somerset (ph) County SWAT. But before I go to him, very quickly, Dr. Bill Manion, medical examiner in Philadelphia, explain the wounds that these victims sustained and why they are still laying -- why are they still laying there in the movie theater, dead on the floor, in the exact position where they fell?

DR. BILL MANION, MEDICAL EXAMINER: I`m not sure why. Maybe the investigators want to take photographs, document everything. Maybe there were -- there was another shooter there. I mean, so far they only have one. But maybe they`re just taking their time.

At the hospital, I know the labs also have to respond quickly. The blood banks have to respond. They probably called in blood from the Red Cross. So a lot of -- a lot of things have to come into play in one of these disasters.

GRACE: Joining me...

MANION: It`ll be...

(CROSSTALK)

GRACE: Ellie, what can you tell us about the weapons that we know of? I`m still having a hard time fathoming how this guy managed to get into a cineplex, a packed theater, with all of these weapons. He had a -- he had an arsenal!

ELLIE JOSTAD, NANCY GRACE PRODUCER (via telephone): Right, Nancy. He had an AR-15 assault rifle. You see it there in the picture. He also had a Remington shotgun, as well as two Glock .40-caliber (INAUDIBLE) Now, they do believe that three of those weapons, with the exclusion of one of the Glocks, they say they have evidence that three of those weapons were certainly used in that shooting.

Now, Nancy, he was also wearing all of this protective gear, even a throat protector, groin protector. And he had those grenades or some sort of smoke bomb (INAUDIBLE) as well.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Somebody kicked in the emergency exit and started throwing gas grenades and started shooting people at random.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Took me a second to realize what was actually going on. And as people were running away, I hit the ground so I wouldn`t be hit.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GRACE: Let`s go straight to the scene there in Aurora. Joining me, CNN national correspondent at the shooting scene, Ed Lavandera. Ed, let`s take it from the top. What happened?

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): Well, you know,, (INAUDIBLE) movie theater screening (INAUDIBLE) cineplex here -- (INAUDIBLE) we`re told by witnesses. Then all of a sudden, they saw the 24-year-old suspect, James Holmes, emerge from the exit door, which was just to the right of the movie screen, throw up two canisters (INAUDIBLE) little pops (INAUDIBLE)

GRACE: OK, Ed! Ed! Ed! Ed Lavandera, I`m having a really, really hard time hearing you. Let me get you to start over. Sorry about that. We`re having a really hard time with your satellite. Go ahead.

LAVANDERA: (INAUDIBLE) it`s very windy here today, so I apologize. You know, the theaters were packed with people. There were four movie theaters screening the movie of the Batman premiere last night. And the movie was just about 10 or 15 minutes into it, from what we`ve been told by witnesses, when they saw the exit door just to the right of the movie screen in theater number 9 open up.

And the man came in, threw up two canisters, and they heard the explosions and they could (INAUDIBLE) the tear gas or some sort of irritant that was in those canisters, and then the shooting erupted.

Now, depending on which witness you talk to, you know, how -- how long that lasted has been a very confusing point for many of the witnesses who experienced this, you know, quite understandably, given what they went through.

But at some point, you know, the gunfire stopped. And one witness told me that, you know, the shooter just kind of nonchalantly stopped and was walking around and then went back outside. And within a couple of minutes, he was taken into custody without incident with the police officers that had descended on the scene.

GRACE: I understand when police approached him, he says, I am the Joker?

LAVANDERA: Right. Absolutely bizarre. You know, as one law enforcement source told me today, you know, as we tried to kind of, you know, piece together motive or what might be behind all of this or the mindset of this person -- you know, one source just stopped me in my tracks and said, Look, you`re trying to get me to explain the mind of a deranged killer.

So you know, obviously, law enforcement is grappling with that today. But at some level, this suspect is talking with law enforcement sources. He went on to tell them about the booby-trap that was set up at his apartment. And that is what, as we speak, law enforcement is dealing with. They haven`t even been able to get into his apartment, which is not too far from this movie theater.

GRACE: Question -- Ed Lavandera joining us there at the scene of the shooting. Why are the bodies still in the movie theater right now where they fell?

LAVANDERA: Well, from what the police chief here at Aurora told us a little while ago, they still -- it is a gruesome crime scene inside that theater, that they have ballistics testing and other, you know, testing that -- evidence gathering that they want to do, to be able to do all that.

You could tell that it was a sensitive situation, that they`re trying to expedite that as quickly as possible and get these bodies out of that theater and turned over to family members so they can, you know, carry on with funeral arrangements and that sort of thing. But it has taken a great...

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GRACE: A midnight screening, a sold-out theater there in the local suburbs, the cineplex packed, when all of a sudden, the crowd realizes the evildoer is not on the screen with Batman, he is in the theater, where he unleashes an arsenal of firepower on a largely young audience, even a tiny baby the victim of the shooting. Right now 71 shooting victims. The body count still in limbo.

Joining me from the movie cinema where the movie shooting occurred, CNN national correspondent Ed Lavandera.

Ed, what I don`t understand is how did this guy got into the cinema with all this ammunition, described ammunition if you could, didn`t anybody notice the door s cracked open and somebody is putting on S.W.A.T. gear?

ED LAVANDERA, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): Well, that`s a very good questions, Nancy. That`s what the police have trying to dig on today. I have just been told a short while ago by a law enforcement source on this investigation that what it appears at this point happened, is that James Holmes, the 24-year-old suspect, bought a ticket, went into the movie theater without any of the weaponry or the ballistic gear that he was covered in, went into the theater as if he was just another movie goer. But at that some point, snuck out the exit door, remember, these exit doors are closed from the outside so that, you know, people can`t just sneak in the movie theater.

So, at some point, snuck out that door. It`s believed that he left it kind of propped open, went to his car, which was parked at the back of the movie theater, put on all the gear, which was essentially ballistic gear and a gas mask from head to toe. He was well protected, grabbed all of the weaponry that you talked about, the assault rifle, the shotgun, and a handgun, and then went - and those two canisters of presumably teargas and went back inside the movie theater. But it doesn`t that anyone - at one point he might have left that popped open, how he did that without raising any suspicion, I just don`t have an answer for that right now.

GRACE: Question, Ed, what do we know about this guy, other than he was a Ph.D. candidate in neuroscience?

LAVANDERA: As you mentioned, he was a student here at the University of Colorado, he lived in a nearby apartment. He`s got family members that live in Southern California, and we haven`t had any luck in trying to speak with them today. But, you know, we don`t know much about what these motives might have been. And that`s what we`re working the hardest on to try to figure out at this point.

GRACE: Well, of course the state doesn`t have to prove motive if and when this goes to trial, ED Lavandera.

But Ed, what do we know, what if anything was he doing during the shooting, because it`s my understanding, he comes up from basically the front of the cinema where the screen is, as he starts coming up the stadium seating, and everybody sees him but there`s a lot of people there dressed up in costumes and so forth.

What did people think was happening? And did he say anything during the shootings?

LAVANDERA: I have talked to close to ten witnesses today and I haven`t hear anybody say that he said anything, that he just appeared very calmly. He wasn`t trying to shoot anybody directly. He just shot from the top to the bottom of the movie theater. That it was all very, you know, calm and deliberate. It wasn`t frantic in any way except for, you know, the people who were trapped in that movie theater and had nowhere to go. And after that gun fire erupted, it became a very chaotic scene. But it doesn`t appear that he said anything or lashed out in any way, before he started firing.

GRACE: Where is you right now?

LAVANDERA: We`re a couple hundred feet from the front of the movie theater. The law enforcement police have this entire parking lot cordoned off and several streets around the movie theater blocked off and that`s the way since throughout the day. In fact there are still dozens and dozens of cars from movie goers who were in the theater last night, who can`t get their cars out. They have to leave their cars in the parking. They have been going through all the cars, the investigators have throughout the day. But, you know, it`s almost like it`s a little frozen snapshot from about midnight last night with all these cars from dozens of movie goers sitting in the parking lot. That`s what we can see.

GRACE: Ed Lavandera, where is he, the alleged shooter right now?

LAVANDERA: I was told by the police department of Aurora, he`s right now sitting in the municipal city jail here in the city of Aurora.

GRACE: Is he in protective custody?

LAVANDERA: I`m sorry?

GRACE: Is he in protective custody?

LAVANDERA: I don`t know. You know, the police chief was asking about that. he was walking off and was pretty tired of answering the first round of initial questioning. So I would imagine, given the magnitude of the situation that he`s in some sort of solitary area. He`s talking at least. (INAUDIBLE)

GRACE: OK, Ed, Ed, I`m losing you. With me is Ed Lavender are, CNN national correspondent there at the scene of the shooting.

Joining me right now is a witness there inside that cinema, Paul Ottermat.

Paul, thank you for being with us.

PAUL OTTERMAT, EYE WITNESS (via telephone): Hi, how are you.

GRACE: I`m good. I`m good. And Paul, I got to tell you. I never - I never heard of anything like this in our country anyway. What happened? What did you observe?

OTTERMAT: OK. So, I was in the front left side of the theater, about three rows back, but in that bottom area. He came in on the right-hand side on the front, there`s an emergency exit there. There wasn`t an emergency exit to the front and to the left. But there was one behind us.

But he came in and he was wearing a black gear with bullet-proof vest and gas mask and everything. He came through the door and for a second, I thought I didn`t know what exactly was going on. And you know if there`s a weird publicity stunt or something like that. But then, he threw can of tear gas, I immediately felt the burning in my eyes. As soon as the gas started didn`t even reach me, but I could feel the tingle.

Then he shot into the center of the crowd and then fired a couple more shots and by that time he had ducked down to the floor, me and my girlfriend who has seen the movie with me. We crawled out the -- to the other exit on the left, just behind us. The people on the upper levels had to climb down over that -- over that area to get around, it took a while to get out, but we got out right away, and we ran through the lobby and we heard four or five more shots while we were running through the lobby.

When we got outside, we met up with somebody who was right in front of the door. His name is Isaac, and he was separated from his group and he thought somebody in his group was shot. So we took him over to the air force base which is nearby there, and he dropped him off. And my girlfriend dropped her phone during the scramble out of the initial theater, and a man following us out, he was just up there in the upper level, but just right near that exit as well. He was able to get out right after us and he saw his wife`s phone and picked it up. He returned that to us today, he was a very nice man.

GRACE: With me is Paul Ottermat. He was there in the cinema when the shooting broke out.


Paul, a lot of people think that this was some sort of stunt, but it was only when the tear gas was emitted that you believed it was no stunt. What happened with the crowd? When did they realize what was happening and what did they do?

OTTERMAT: Well, first it kind of went silent when he threw the tear gas, but when he started firing shot into the crowd, there was a lot of screaming and hysteria, and everybody ducking to the ground and trying to get out.

The person who picked up our cell phone, he said he was leaving right after he picked up the cell phone, the people behind him got shot. So he was trying to shoot at the exits after a while. He just started shooting into the crowd at the start but, he was trying to shoot at the exit as well.

GRACE: So he was shooting at people that were trying to flee?

OTTERMAT: Yes, he was.

GRACE: Was he saying anything, Paul?

OTTERMAT: He didn`t say a word. He walked in kind of casualty. From one heard from the police report, he came in and left through that emergency exit door, came back through it all armed in to the theater. But when he -- so when he entered with all of his guns, he just casualty walked up, cracked the tear gas, threw it and started aiming his gun. And it was --

GRACE: Paul, was it at any particular moment in the movie? For instance, was it at a moment where there gun fire or pyrotechnics of some sort in the movie?

OTTERMAT: No, not for us. We were at the 9:05 showing. That was theater -- I`m sorry, the 12:05 showing in theater nine. But theater eight was about a little bit further in the movie. There was about ten minutes ahead of us in the movie.

GRACE: Paul, did you ever think you could die?

OTTERMAT: But they were hearing gun fire at that time. But we were not. It was it was just talk between Bruce Wayne and :Alfred.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As I was sitting down in my seat, I noticed a person came up to the front row, to the front right and sat down. And as credits were going, I noticed that he got a phone call, so he went out the emergency exit doorway which I thought it was unusual to take a phone call. And it seems like he probably pried it open or probably didn`t let it latch all the way. Soon as the movie started, somebody came in --

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GRACE: Let`s go straight to the scene, joining us is Ed Lavandera.

How do you go out and buy tear gas, how do you go out and buy an assault rifle and AR-15? And then somehow manage to get it in and nobody sees it? Who are the victims, Ed Lavandera that we know of so far?

LAVANDERA: There were a couple of people from San Antonio who happened to be here who were some of the shooting victims, we`re still in the process of just trying to grasp just, you know, with 71 people wounded or killed, this is a long list of people.

And one of the initial things we have been trying to track down from law enforcement sources is where these weapons came from. We were told by a law enforcement source that all of these weapons, all four of them were bought legally during the last six months. He didn`t walk in, as I was talking about earlier, he didn`t walk in with these weapons into the theater when he bought tickets. He went back out to his car and reloaded and then came back in. So, he was only in that theater for a brief number of seconds before he started firing.

GRACE: Unleash the lawyers. Joining me tonight, Peter Odom, defense attorney, Renee Rockwell, defense attorney. Eleanor Odom, former senior attorney with a national D.A. Association, death penalty qualified.

All right, Eleanor, weigh in.

ELEANOR ODOM, DEATH PENALTY-QUALIFIED PROSECUTOR: Well Nancy, clearly I don`t think it`s any stretch of the imagination to say this is a death penalty case. Look what you have. You have got 12 deaths, and there may be more, unfortunately. What else do you have? You have aggravated assault on all of these other people who were injured. Aggravated assault by pointing your weapon at those other people that weren`t and didn`t suffered injured. There`s charge after charge. And you have a lot of witnesses, Nancy, and a lot of evidence.

GRACE: Renee Rockwell?

RENEE ROCKWELL, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: You know what else you have, Nancy, a crazy person. Looks like it`s premeditated, does not mean he has not crazy. I see a mental defense here.

GRACE: Peter Odom, isn`t true that everyone is now claiming mental defense, because there`s really nowhere else you can go and that`s all you can say?

PETER ODOM, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Nancy, a mental defense works when there`s a documented history of mental illness, and where there a no other motive. This case screams of a mental defense. This, as Ed Lavandera said, this is the product of the deranged mind.

GRACE: You know, Eleanor, every time somebody is caught red-handed, I mean, there were people in there, videoing him. You heard the defense insanity. He even booby-trapped apartments to thwart police. He rather take down the whole apartment building than police get evidence. That`s not crazy.

ELEANOR ODOM: No. It shows that it`s methodical planning, Nancy. He knew what he was going to do from the very minute and he wanted to kill more than just the people in the theater.

GRACE: Right now, everyone, CNN heroes.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JO CRAWFORD, COMMUNITY CRUSADER: When I was 13, my dad was very violent and attempted to murder my mom. It wasn`t until I was a 55 that I came to work in a shelter and met the woman who had fled Chicago with two young children, she had no documentation. She did not legally exist.
She said can you help me? I need $40 to get all the documentation. It is totally forbidden, but I gave her the two $20 bills and I`m thinking I just changed three lives with $40. I had no idea that I had actually changed my life as well.

My name is Jo Crawford and I ask women survivors of domestic violence to dream their best life and I give them the means to accomplish the first step.

This is what you want and this is what you deserve. The women are all out of a relationship for at least six months, they have to be free of alcohol and drugs and they have got to have a dream.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I want to go back to school to do social services, to be a social worker.

CRAWFORD: It`s not a gift. She agrees to pay it forward to three other survivors.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`m going to be helping three ladies get their GED. Thank you!

CRAWFORD: These women need to know that they deserve their dream and have the power to create it.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I got so much help which enabled me to buy a sewing machine and that made me realize that I should be a person that not only receives help but also gives help.

CRAWFORD: I am so proud of you.

One woman can make a difference, but women working together can change the world.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GRACE: A shooting like no other in this country. Right now, 71 victims that we know of.

Joining me right now, Sergeant Ed Ciempola, commander of the Summerset County SWAT.

Sergeant, thank you for being with us. I know that you have heard reports of what went down in that movie theater. Explain to me what this guy was wearing, how could he get it in and what were all of these devices for?

ED CIEMPOLA, COMMANDER, SUMMERSET COUNTY SWAT.: Well, first thing, thanks for having me on, Nancy. And also my heartfelt and sincere sympathies out for the families who lost people.

Why did he have those things on? Well, first thing, I understand it was somewhat of a costume party which may have helped him actually get ingress into the theater. He also had a tactical vest on and Kevlar leggings and groin protection and a neck protection which told me that he was looking to - looking at there was going to be a battle, there was going to be some sort of fight at the end of this. He was looking that he was going to engage armed police officers at the end of this incident.

GRACE: Sergeant, you are wearing, for our viewers` benefit, a uniform similar to the one the suspect wore. Tell me -- explain to our viewers what you got on.

CIEMPOLA: Yes, I have a level three tactical vest that`s worn by our SWAT operators in Summerset County and probably very similar to many of the vest worn by tactical operators throughout the country, probably throughout the world.

And it`s level three. It is designed to defeat -- it`s designed to defeat pistol rounds and also certain rifle rounds. One of the rifles, this is very similar to the rifle he was carrying. This is actually an air soft replica of the rifle that James Holmes was carrying. And it is a 223 m-4 rifle, which we have here. This, with the trauma plate you would actually defeat that particular round, if it hit the trauma plate in the center of the chest. Similar to the weapon he has is a Remington pump shotgun. This is a police shotgun, but it`s 12 gauge, very high-powered rifle. And it is -- it`s for a lot of fire power and to deal with lots of people at the same time.

GRACE: What is a flash bang, if you could tell our viewers that?

CIEMPOLA: Flash bang is a distraction device. What we use a flash bang for is to fire to making entry in a room, we throw that in to distract somebody and actually disorient them to give the tactical operators the advantage when they make entry into the room.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GRACE: Straight back to Sergeant Ed Ciempola joining us. He is commander, Summerset County, SWAT.

He was swearing solid black. He had bulletproof gear, neck, groin, legs, chest, you name it protective helmet. Why? And that`s pretty professional to come in and use a flash bang?

CIEMPOLA: Well, yes, I think that was part of his strategy. I mean, he has obviously plan and spent a lot of time planning this whole thing out. Part of his strategy was to go into a target-rich environment like a movie theater, knowing this was a premiere night and to actually throw the flash bang, attract everyone`s attention, get them standing up and now he has a bunch of people running for the exits where he has a very target- filled room.

GRACE: Commander, don`t move.

To Doctor Bethany Marshall, psychoanalyst and author. Weigh in, Bethany.

DOCTOR BETHANY MARSHALL, PSYCHOANALYST, AUTHOR, DEAL BREAKERS: Well, he is right about them running toward the exit because these mass murders love to have the fish in the barrel affect. This guy is highly organized, meticulous, intelligent. He feels wronged by society in some pathological way. So his vendetta is against society.

Unlike the serial killer who has a vendetta or wants power against an individual, this is against society. He`s homicidal drama queen and that`s why he wore all that equipment.

GRACE: Tonight, our prayers with the victims and the families.

Let`s stop and remember army specialist Anthony Lightfoot, 20, Riverdale, Georgia, killed Afghanistan, bronze star, purple heart. Buried, Arlington. Loved animation, gaming, leaves behind a loving family.

Anthony Lightfoot, American hero.

Thanks to our guests, but especially to you for being with us. I will see you Monday night you 8:00 sharp eastern. And until then, good night, friend.

END

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1207/20/ddhln.01.html
DR. DREW
Colorado Massacre
Aired July 20, 2012 - 21:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


Dr. DREW PINSKY, HOST: Good evening. We are continuing to cover breaking news tonight. We are awaiting a live police news conference any minute.

Police say a gunman opened fire in a movie theater late last night in Aurora, Colorado. Now, I have been watching this footage all day with, I know, all of you as well.

Twelve are dead, 59 are injured. Take a look at this.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just watching a movie and everything is all quiet.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A man kicked through the door.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All you hear is just gunfire, left and right. Any time somebody just tried to get up and runaway, he would just shoot them.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We need rescue inside the auditorium, multiple victims.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Little girls were shot. Little boys were shot.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I got seven down in theater nine!

CHIEF DAN OATES, AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT: Our suspect`s name is James Eagan Holmes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I just remember thinking I`m not going to die in here. Me and my kids, we are not going to die in here.

OATES: The suspect was dressed all in black. He was wearing a ballistic helmet.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We got a man shot in the leg, a female -- I got people running out of the theater.

OATES: His apartment is booby-trapped with various incendiary and chemical devices and apparent trip wires.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PINSKY: This is so emotional. Again, I share with you the horror and the outrage of this case. And what we want to do here tonight, obviously waiting for that press conference.

But the doctor in front of my name tonight hopefully will have a purpose, which is to hopefully look at this horror, this tragedy this catastrophe in a way that perhaps will help us understand what this was.

One other thing that I want to look at is the suspect. He`s 24-year- old James Holmes. How did he, why did he, what was going on that made a -- what seems to be a smart young man carry out a horrible massacre?

Tonight, we`ll look what the we know about him. We will have live updates throughout the hour.

The big question is: what can we do for the victims, the witnesses, the public and those of that you are watching who are terrified?

Joining me, HLN host, Jane Velez-Mitchell.

Jane, can you give me a brief update?

JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HLN HOST: Well, I can tell you right now, the focus is on the suspect`s apartment, which has been booby-trapped and rigged with explosive devices. They are sending robots n they have evacuated five apartments in the area and they say it could be days before they actually get in there and dismantle everything, and it is a very, very complex web.

Now, that dovetails with the suspect`s back ground. He was studying to get a PhD. in neuroscience, no small feat.

But here is the interesting thing: even though he is highly educated and studying to get his PhD in neuroscience at the University of Colorado, the school has informed us that he was recently in the process of dropping out of the program. Does that suggest that he was having problems of some sort, psychological or emotional perhaps? We don`t know. Police are not speculating about motive.
But here is a fascinating tidbit. Authorities say when they captured him right outside the movie theater, his hair was colored red and he referred to himself as the Joker, who is, of course, the character who is the nemesis of Batman. Was he confusing fiction and reality? We don`t know.

PINSKY: Well, Jane, I`m going to tell you what, that is one of the points I want to go to, which is that this notion that somehow he had developed a fantasy life or he became the Joker.

When people become psychotic and delusional, they start believing that they are -- they can believe they are bigger-than-life characters. They can say, I`m Jesus Christ. I`m Napoleon. I`m Joker. I`m Batman. It`s a psychotic state. It`s not the state of a normal person fantasizing or planning that there`s something. It is somebody in a delusional state.

Now, on the ground in Aurora, I have Jim Spellman.

Jim, can you give us an update?

JIM SPELLMAN, HLN CORRESPONDENT: Sure, we are learning a little bit more about James Holmes. We know that in 2010, he got his undergrad degree at the University of California in Riverside. We have just heard today from the chancellor who said he was clearly a bright student.

Now, more recently, he spent the last year going for a PhD. here in neuroscience and he withdrew last month, Drew.

PINSKY: Jim, I`m sorry, Jim, I have to interrupt you. I`m being told I`ve got to go out to the press conference now. Thank you for cooperating with that.

Here is the press conference now.

GOV. JOHN HICKENLOOPER (D), COLORADO: This has been a long day and I appreciate how long a day it`s been for all of you in the media. We are seeing the community rise up and do the things that great communities do.

We`re dealing with this. Seventy casualties, not 71, there was a double reporting there, but the stories that are going to come out of this of how in a remarkably short time the police force in Aurora responded to this situation. Their efficiency in making an apprehension, the ability of our hospitals in remarkably short order to take care of al of these casualties, in an incredible system -- not to say -- I`m not saying it was all perfect but as this story is told, it will be remarkable.

As of 3:30, we still had 30 patients in hospitals, 11 still in critical condition. You know, this is -- it`s an act that defies description. You can`t connect emotions that we commonly think of.

I mean, everyone I`ve talked to all day is filled with an anger that can`t find focus. And I think the challenge for all of us as a community is to recognize we have to move past that.

Obviously there`s going to be a level of accountability to this. Individual is clearly disturbed. Either we will or we will not know exactly the roots of that, of how deep that disturbance is. We know how deep it is but where it came from.

But we are clear that we are going to rise back and lift ourselves above this. I visited several of the families in the hospital and we`re going to have obviously some -- when you have that many people that have been injured, you`re going to have people with lifetime disabilities.

And we`re already as a community beginning to come together. Givingfirst.org, within three hours, we had $125,000 of matching gifts so as they raise money this is through one of the hospitals but all the hospitals are going to participate in this, to make sure the victims of this senseless act of violence that -- again, there just aren`t words.

We want to do everything we can to make sure the victims are brought back in every way and supported in every way that we can. We`re not going to let this community be defined by such a -- you know, if I had more sleep I might have a better vocabulary.

Anyway, I do think that the first responders were unbelievable, and their ability to work together and coordinate. Our support from the federal government has been incredible. Secretary Napolitano called me from Homeland Security earlier this morning and wanted to do everything she could. She was a little late because President Obama called me before that. But not until after he called Mayor Hogan. He called the police chief.

He called -- the whole country recognizes that this is something we don`t accept, we can`t explain at this point. But we`re not -- we`re not going to just let it happen to us. We`re going to -- we`re going to push back.

I also -- Mayor Hogan`s not here. His leadership has been remarkable. And in times like this, you see, you know, what is the true quality of people and how can they deal with situations that, you know, there`s no training, there`s no way you can prepare for something like this.

I think the way he`s handled all the integration of the different efforts between the federal and the state, the county and the local, it really is a remarkable skill. He`s been able to keep everybody focused together. No one`s pointing fingers. Everybody`s moving forward to the next step. All right, this has happened what do we do next?

So in that sense -- and Chief Oates is unbelievable. I don`t think I`ve ever done this but I think you should all give Chief Oates a hand.

(APPLAUSE)

HICKENLOOPER: So now, I`ll give it back to Chief Oates.

OATES: OK, thank you, Governor. I want to point out that standing behind me are quite a few of our elected city officials and our state representatives. Congressman Perlmutter is also with us. Also joining me here is special agent Jim Yacone of the FBI and special agent Andrew Traver of ATF.

And our federal partners have been absolutely tremendous in supporting us. I want to start by saying how proud I am of the men and women of the Aurora Police Department and fire department and Mike Garcia from the fire department, the chief of the fire department, is also here with us.

OK. We got to straighten out some numbers. There are a total of 70 injured in this event, and as of this time, 12 dead. Still the number is 10 in the theater and the last of the bodies were removed from the theater a little after 5:00 this afternoon.

I want to correct one thing. I think earlier today I said the others were all hit by gunfire. I now know a handful of the people who were brought to area hospitals were not hit by gunfire but suffered other injured as a result of the chaos and trauma in the theater. And I can`t tell you how many that is but it`s a small number. Nearly everyone was shot.

Little information about our subject and the weapons he obtained. In the last 60 days, he purchased four guns at local metro guns shops. And through the Internet, he purchased over 6,000 rounds of ammunition, more than 3,000 rounds of 223, ammunition for the assault rifle, 3,000 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition for the two Glocs in his possession, and 300 rounds for the 12 gauge shotgun.

Also through the internet, he purchased multiple magazines for the 223 caliber assault rifle, including one 100-round drum magazine, which was recovered from the scene. I`ve been asked, was the weapon automatic or semiautomatic. I can`t answer that question now. Even if it was semiautomatic, I`m told by experts that with that drum magazine, he could have gotten off 50 to 60 rounds, even if it was semiautomatic, within one minute. And as far as we know, it was a pretty rapid pace of fire in that theater.

This evening at 4:00, members of the police department and the many supporting agencies that have provided victim service advocates to support us met with approximately seven family and friends -- 70 members of family and friends who have not had an accounting of their missing loved ones. We met with them for approximately 90 minutes. We discussed all our efforts to identify the 10 bodies in the theater. And did the best we could to deal with their grief and anguish.

We are hopeful that sometime in the next hour we will get a confirmed list of the ten deceased and we will begin the agonizing process of meeting with those families and confirming what has happened to their loved ones. I can`t emphasize enough the support of all our colleagues in local law enforcement in handing that extraordinarily difficult task.

We`re also aided by our own police department psychologists. Aurora Public Schools has made available two high schools for tomorrow beginning at 9:00 a.m. for professional grief counseling and other resources, including the resources of aurora mental health and the red cross. Those two schools will open at 9:00 a.m. Superintendent John Barry was with us to meet with the families.


And the support of the superintendent and the Aurora Public Schools has been absolutely tremendous.

In addition, I`ll talk a little about the Paris Street location. We evacuated five apartment buildings including the apartment building of the subject. Those evacuees have been staying at Central High School.

PINSKY: And we are watching a live police press conference in Aurora, Colorado. We have to take a quick break. We will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PINSKY: Let`s get live to the police press conference in Aurora, Colorado.

OATES: -- SWAT team and the Denver Police Department SWAT team. If we have any demand over the days for those assets, since we are fully taxed, we will turn to our colleagues to help us.

The Aurora town center will be open tomorrow. They`ve been wonderfully cooperative with the Aurora Police Department. I have a new tip line. If there are further tips that anyone wants to call, it`s the crime stoppers number, 720-913-STOP, or 720-913-7867.

We`re also offering a general information line for the community. Not for the press. I think the press knows how to reach us. This is for the community if they have questions. The general information number is 303- 739-1862.

Our suspect is now in Arapahoe County jail. I just got a call from the sheriff. He asked me if I wanted his picture released. I said no. So I won`t be releasing his picture for investigative reasons.

He will be arraigned or have first court appearance 8:30 a.m. on Monday in Arapahoe County district court. There has been an overwhelming outpouring of support for our families, for or victims, for our community, for our cops, for our firefighters, for our EMS people, for our investigators, by this entire community. We`ve received concern and condolences -- just remarkable.

Our community restaurants started pouring pizzas and food into our station houses here. Just to show support for our police department. And it`s just absolutely wonderful.

I have an announcement on behalf of the city, Sunday at 6:30 p.m., there will be a prayer vigil right here in front of the Aurora Municipal Center. We know the governor and the mayor will speak and there will be an appropriate moment for reflection for our community.

Finally, I want to offer a huge thanks to our coroner, Michael Doverson (ph), for all he has done, to help us with the crime scene today and to expedite the recovery and identification of the bodies which is so, so important to our community.

And in terms of the next press briefing, we expect to be able to brief you tomorrow afternoon right here at 2:00 p.m. I will take questions.

REPORTER: Any sign of a motive at this point? Has he said anything about why he did this?

OATES: If we have information about a motive, we will not share it with you. We`d let that play out in the course of the criminal prosecution.

PINSKY: We`re watching a press conference live in Aurora, Colorado.

Also, I have live on the ground there in Aurora right, and Jim Spellman, who has a couple of eyewitnesses.

Jim, I`m going out to you. I understand you`ve got some technical issues with our witnesses being able to hear me, so I`m going to ask to you please ask them the questions.

Go right at it.

SPELLMAN: Sure. This is Derrick Poage and Naya Thompson. They were on date to go see the Batman movie.

Tell us what it was like when the gunman came into the theater.

DERRICK POAGE, WITNESSED COLORADO MASSACRE: He came in seven minutes into the movie and he threw a tear gas and right after he threw the tear gas, he started unloading fire.

SPELLMAN: Was he shooting in your direction, Naya?

NAYA THOMPSON, WITNESSED COLORADO MASSACRE: No, he was shooting down towards the bottom row at first and then he started making his way up the stairs, towards where we were.

SPELLMAN: What did it sound like what did it feel like to be in that these we are that gunman in there?

THOMPSON: I really didn`t know how to feel. We were just hiding. He ended up running to the top of the theater, and I`m like, oh, my gosh, trying to slide under my seat and then I couldn`t, the gunshots were getting closer and closer and closer, and he ended up coming back for me and we stay there had counting for three and then we ran to the top and we, like, fell over people.

SPELLMAN: Sounds completely terrifying.

POAGE: Very hectic. Very, very hectic.

SPELLMAN: What did he look like? Did he say anything?

POAGE: He actually didn`t say nothing. He just had on a black tear gas mask, armored vest and he was dressed in, like, tactical clothes, like a SWAT team would wear.

PINSKY: Jim, first off --

SPELLMAN: Did you think you were going to make it out alive?

PINSKY: That`s the question I wanted to ask. Did they think they were going to die?

(CROSSTALK)

SPELLMAN: Wow, what`s this last day been like knowing that -- decompressing, I guess, after going through this experience?

POAGE: Loss of words, like very sad, actually.

SPELLMAN: And, Drew, anything you`d like to ask?

PINSKY: Yes, I`m wondering how they knew to get up and run because my understanding was that this guy was shooting for the people heading for the exits. When did they decide to make their move and how were they able to get up?

SPELLMAN: How did you know to get up and run?

THOMPSON: We didn`t know. I actually didn`t know. I didn`t know what to think. We didn`t even know that there was an exit to the top left of the theater, because before the movie comes on, they always show a thing that shows where the exits are. They only indicated the two at the bottom, to each side of the theater, never the one at the top.

So we actually talked about it we didn`t even know why we got up and ran that way.

SPELLMAN: It almost sounds like you`re describing like an instinctual reaction to just get away.

PINSKY: Jim, I wonder if Naya particularly, because she seems very sort of -- she seems to want to talk about this incident, is she having flashbacks? Is she feeling OK? A lot of people have been reporting that all day.

SPELLMAN: Have you had any flashbacks? How are you feeling?

THOMPSON: Just when he left me, I didn`t know what to think. I tried to slide under my seat and there were poles, soda spilling all over me. I couldn`t breathe from the gas. So I don`t know.

SPELLMAN: Throughout the course of the day, have you been talking to -- has it been helpful to speak with each other about it and others?

THOMPSON: Yes.

SPELLMAN: How does that change the way you have been processing everything?

POAGE: Life`s too short. You really don`t never know what the other person is thinking. And actually, I just process like, you can`t take life for granted. You got to live every day.

PINSKY: Thank you, Kim.

SPELLMAN: Dr. Drew?

PINSKY: And I know Naya and Derrick can`t hear me out there, but please thank them for us and we just heard in the press conference we were listening to that the Aurora victims organizations are providing tremendous amounts of mental health resources. So I hope they will please take advantage of that we are keeping an eye on that press conference.

Plus, we are going to begin now to talk about who this James Eagan Holmes was, what is he? What makes him dye his hair red, declare he is the Joker?

I`m going to tell you my analysis of this and it might surprise you. I`m back with that after a break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)



BEGIN VIDEO CLIPS)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We got another person outside shot in the leg, a female. I got people who are running out of the theater, they are shot.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Get us some damn gas masks for theater nine. We can`t get in it.

We rescue inside the auditorium, multiple victims.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Christine, I have seven down in theater nine. Seven down.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`ve got a child victim. I need rescue to the back door of theater nine now.

(END VIDEO CLIPS)

PINSKY: This is so, so distressing. I don`t know how to -- I asked them to just get rid of every script we have here and let me just speak to you as someone who is watching this with you in horror.

This is hard to watch, isn`t it? It is very, very difficult. And it doesn`t make it -- justified, we are going to talk about now.

But I want to try to help you understand what this is, what happened there. Not what it was like to be in that theater because the witnesses have been telling you all day. You don`t need a physician to tell you what they experience there in that theater. They have been telling you the story.

It`s as awful as we imagine. Who was this guy? Who was this guy that opened fire and systematically, methodically murdered people who were there for some evening entertainment, as a group. We gather as a group in theaters, it`s a shared experience. It is one of the places you feel safe as a group.

 have to wonder myself if we haven`t become too aggressive in our society. We are a violent society. There`s no doubt about that.

But the fact is that one thing our social psychological colleagues have told us is that when people get power, they lose empathy and God knows these days we have been reporting all year about the bullying in social media and the horrible venom spewed out through social media. People feel empowered, entitled to it. Their empathy goes down. And it makes me wonder as a result of that, people with real serious psychiatric liabilities break through and become violent.

I`m here with my host Jane -- with our host from HLN, Jane Velez- Mitchell. Jane is with me still. And psychiatric, Dr. John Sharp.

I`m emotional, Jane. I want to go to out to you first. What do you think about what I`m saying?

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Dr. Drew, we don`t know why. But there is a problem in our culture. Massacre after massacre, we covered this. Virginia Tech, the list goes on and on.

And we have to do something about it. The time has come not to be reactive and wait for the next massacre but to proactively take a look at this and find out why our culture seems hooked on violence.

I wrote a book "Addict Nation" and one of the cultural addictions I studied was violence and how violence is something that our culture uses. We use it for entertainment. And then when it comes back in real life to haunt us, we are horrified. Is there a connection?

Now, experts told me that when people see violence on film, subconsciously or viscerally, they react as if it is real. That`s why we flinch in the movies. So, is there a connection, not to this movie in particular, but just to the saturation of violence in our culture? And is it coming back to haunt us?

PINSKY: I want to remind people, I`m still taking calls at 855 373 7395. That`s DrDrew5 Live. I`m here with Dr. John Sharp, Harvard psychiatrist.

OK, Dr. Sharp, here`s my assessment. He`s delusional. If people don`t -- I`m going to have word --- we`re going to talk to a psychologist later who are going to argue with that point, but I am going to say he is delusional.

SHARP: I agree.

PINSKY: By saying, "I`m The Joker," it`s the same thing as saying, "I`m Napoleon." He became grandiose. He began thinking he was something he wasn`t. And, maybe, he got paranoid and began believing, as The Joker, somebody was going to try to get him or, maybe, he needed to do something because he is The Joker.

Even with that assessment, this is bizarre. I mean, I would say, he maybe took hallucinogens, or may be schizophrenic -- you`re going to hypothesize why he became delusional.

But if he did, why this systemic element to all this. I don`t normally see that even schizophrenic patients. Do you.

SHARP: I don`t normally see it either. You know, this is a real combination of a descent into madness where he, apparently, was a bright young guy who got disappointed.

You know, apparently, he was unable to progress in his graduate program. I believe he felt powerless. I believe that he himself felt trapped and rageful. And I think what you see is the combination of those kind of normal feelings with a craziness that was ensuing so that this was the result.

PINSKY: A brain problem.

SHARP: A brain problem.

PINSKY: A brain problem on top of a psychological problem. Would that be a way of, sort of, understanding it.

SHARP: Sure. Understanding how circumstances and a medical disease can lead someone into this kind of crazy action, way beyond reason.

PINSKY: I want to show the viewers a look at a cellphone video of the scene, the chaos the people were exposed to. Take a look at this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

So, we have not only the victims -- not only -- the audio is just heartbreaking. Not only the people in the theater where the gunfire broke out, but the people who thought about going to the theater that night, the people who might had been buying popcorn in the lobby.

All of these people`s lives have been changed. And, by the way, the first responders, they are going to need treatment as well as the people that were in the theater.

SHARP: Absolutely. We need to be sure that they get what I would call psychological first aid. And it`s not just the people in the theater, not just the people who were injured and survived but anyone who even thought of going, or who was nearby or knew someone who was thinking of going.

It`s a very wide net we have to cast. Psychological first aid can prevent a lot of trauma in the end.

PINSKY: OK. Let`s go out to a phone call. I`ve got Nina in Nevada.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Nina, you wanted to comment here. Is that right.

CALLER: Yes, I did. Thanks for having me on your show. And, you know, about that shooting, I heard some young man make a comment on TV that we can`t let just one person ruin it for everyone else.

But the problem is, everyday, we hear on TV, somebody ruining the life of somebody by shooting them, raping them, whatever it is. And, how do you deal with that.

Because there`s hundreds of people in the world that are just ready to ruin the world for somebody else. So, how do you deal with that.

PINSKY: I`m not sure I understand the question. Do you understand what she`s asking, Dr. Sharp. It`s, sort of, how do we deal with the aggression that`s out there so pervasively in our world.

SHARP: How can we create a sense of safety for ourselves. How can we be part of a community where there is a sense of community efficacy where it`s basically OK even though the world isn`t.

PINSKY: I feel something different. Maybe, this is my own stuff coming through here which is, "How do we combat all that aggression. How do we keep it, not just feeling safe, how do we address it."

SHARP: Yes, that`s a much harder question indeed. You know, because I think it`s more powerful than any one person. You know, to change a culture, like Jane was saying, is really what we need to do.

And it starts with individual sense of safety, a community around that individual, a larger community from that. I mean, you can grow this safety out. It`s the only way.

PINSKY: OK. We are going to take another break. There`s, obviously, a lot more to understand or to try to understand about this horrible tragedy tonight.

Again, I`m trying to apply what I`ve got, what skills and knowledge I have to help understand this at home. I`m joined by many guests that are going to stay with me this evening and try to slog through some way of making sense of all this. Be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SANDY PHILLIPS, MOTHER OF VICTIM JESSICA GHAWI: The last thing she texted to me was, "I`m so excited about your trip here next week. And I need my mama.

TEXT: Jessica: Get some sleep mom. I`m really excited for you to come visit. Need my mama. Me: Need my baby girl! Hang in there Jess...just keep trying and it will be ok.

I`ll never have her to hug again or get a text message again or get a funny Facebook picture. That`s the hard part right now, is knowing those are things that I`m never going to get to experience again. I was blessed. Only for 25 years, but I was blessed.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PINSKY: So many lives just so profoundly affected by this one man`s behavior. Jessica Ghawi is one of the victims that never made it out of that movie theater. She had a brush with a similar episode in Toronto when somebody opened fire in a food court. She was -- just-narrowly missed that one and, now, this.

I`m back with HLN Host, Jane Velez-Mitchell and I am now introducing Michelle Ward. Michelle does research on criminal psychopaths, primarily. And you`ve disagreed with what I was saying about this Holmes character. Is that right.

DR. MICHELLE WARD, PH.D., PSYCHOLOGIST: Well, I can see what you`re saying. I mean, it certainly looks like a psychotic break, but there are parts of it that are a little different.

Look at how organized he was and how well-planned. I mean, 60 days ago, he was buying guns and ammunition and, so part of me is wondering, are we looking at psychopath who`s just, you know, finally fully-developed and just, you know, maybe, the trigger was getting kicked out of school or leaving school.

PINSKY: Wouldn`t there be some evidence of something. Wouldn`t we expect to see some behavior in the past.

WARD: And maybe we will.

PINSKY: Maybe we will. Maybe we will indeed. Jane, what do you think. You`ve heard what I`ve been saying about this guy, sort of, becoming psychotic and losing touch with reality.

Michelle says, "Perhaps not. Perhaps, this is something that has been planning and is somebody who really wants to harm other people. What`s your instinct on this?

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, I think, the possibility that he`s a psychopath or sociopath, again, we don`t know. These are just terms we throw around.

What I have heard psychiatrists say is that most human behavior is multi-determined and there`s no one particular reason but a convergence of factors that turn into a perfect storm.

Now, we know that he has, according to police, at this point, they can`t find any criminal history. This suspect had simply a speeding ticket on his record. That`s it.

Now, let`s take a look at his background. He has studied Neuroscience for years. He was going for his PH.D. in Neuroscience before he dropped off. Now, I want to know what that involves.

PINSKY: I can`t make anything of that. Jane, I can`t make -- all the stuff that I`ve been hearing all day -- I got to tell you --

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, what does he do. What does he do as a Neuroscientist. What does that involve.

PINSKY: I`m sitting next to a Neuroscientist. She is one. Michelle is a Neuroscientist but we have about 20 seconds left. What does that involve.

WARD: Well, we study the brain. I`m a Clinical Neuroscientist, so I study it on a human --

PINSKY: And he could have gone on to become a -- if he had not failed or whatever has happened to him, he could have been exactly in your position one day.

He could have been a clinician. He could have actually done clinical work. He could have done research. Neuroscientists do a lot of stuff.

WARD: They do a lot of stuff and we study the brain. That`s all it means, is we study the brain.

PINSKY: Michelle, you`re going to stay with me. We`re going to have an update on the victims. Next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I just remember thinking, "I`m not going to die in here. Me and my kids, we are not going to die in here. I need to get them out. I need to get out.

And all I could think was, if I stand up, he`s going to shoot. He said that he was doing it. I was just trying to think how I was going to get my kids out of there.

(END VIDEO CLIP)
PINSKY: That mom is a hero. She got her kids out. Right now, I want to welcome Nicole Williams on Skype. She`s a Spokesperson for the Swedish Medical Center where many of the victims were taken. And, Nicole, you were there when this all went down. What did you see?

NICOLE WILLIAMS, SPOKESPERSON, SWEDISH MEDICAL CENTER (via Skype): We were. We were essentially called in on an external disaster plan about 1:15 this morning.

And we all flooded the hospital, called in our emergency personnel, beefed up all our trauma response folks in the emergency department and prepared for the worst in whatever could be coming through our doors.

PINSKY: And was it the worst.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WILLIAMS: You know, it was. I think, if you look at the Denver metro area, it was absolutely the worst. We are about 12 miles away from Aurora where this actually took place.

We are level one trauma center, so we were prepared to take some of the most critical patients, as many patients as they needed us to. We did end up with four parents who came through Swedish Medical Center throughout the course of this event.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

We are excited to say that, this evening, we have actually upgraded our two critical patients to stable and we have actually been able to discharge the two others.

PINSKY: That is -- oh, my gosh. So, two have gone home and two are - - when I hear you go from critical to improved, I immediately assumed these were not head wounds, headshot wounds, which is a great relief.

And that means, these are people who can return to full function. Thank you for that update. I`m going to go out to some calls. I`m still joined by Dr. Sharp and Michelle Ward.

Julie, you are in Aurora, Colorado. Julie you what, do you got for us?


CALLER: Well, I was here during the Columbine issues and, now, with this one. And I just -- I`m concerned for our people, our nation and wonder why or if the U.S. is one-of-a-kind or if other nations are plagued with this same thing. I mean, where have we gone astray with the value of human life.

PINSKY: Well, listen. Well, now, we just heard, in Norway, there was a massacre very much like this allegedly politically-motivated.

I would say, that guy had some real difficulties as well, psychiatrically. But, and of course, there was the Chechen rebels. And, I mean, you hear about it in other countries but it seems to have more of a political brush to it -- a blush to it.

And, here, it has, so random, seems like mental illness more often. I got to take a quick break. We are going to continue this conversation after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

All right. We got a lot to get through here and very little time. Joining me now is Quentin Caldwell. Quentin, you were in the theater next to the theater where the gunman opened fire. Tell me what you saw and heard.

QUENTIN CALDWELL, SHOOTING WITNESS, COLORADO: We, me and my wife, had gone to the premiere. We usually go to the big superhero premieres. And we ended up sitting in about three rows up.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

And during the movie, there`s a chase scene where the villain is being chased through the tunnel, so there`s a lot of gunfire. And, suddenly, we just heard a "pop, pop, pop, pop," louder than the track on the screen, so a lot of people were kind of caught off-guard.

But, in my mind, I`m immersed in the movie, so, you know, I thought it was just, you know, really good sound effects, something like that, an ambient speaker or something.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

But my wife, she nudged me and said, "No, that`s loud. That`s way too loud for something"--

PINSKY: What did you do. Did you go next door. Did you run into some of the victims. What did you see as you came to understand something horrible had happened.

CALDWELL: What ended up happening was, right after that, maybe 10 seconds after my wife had said that, behind us, to my left, there was a young lady who -- or a young man, I should say, who ran down the stairs saying, "They are shooting up the theater. I think, it might be a drive by." And ran down the stairs.

And I just glanced over, seeing the commotion and there was a young lady who was being helped down the stairs by a younger couple. And she was holding her face like this. And just bleeding profusely from the jaw area.

And so, then all of a sudden, again, we heard some more commotion on the right. And I looked to my right and I see a heavier-set gentleman kind of doubled over, holding his stomach, you know, his hands covered in blood.

So, that`s when we -- at first, it was kind of surreal. We didn`t know if this was --

PINSKY: So, Quentin, let me understand. You were in the theater next door and these bullets had come through the wall and struck people in your theater or were you in the theater where this gunman opened fire.

CALDWELL: I was in the adjacent theater. Theater Nine is where it happened.

PINSKY: Got it.

CALDWELL: Theater eight, he would --

PINSKY: Did chaos then break out of your theater as well.

CALDWELL: Not immediately. There was -- like I said, everyone was kind of in an ethereal state, kind of just puzzled, wondering what`s going on. And it wasn`t until the alarm went off that everything sank in, that there is something going wrong.

And that`s when everybody tried to start forcing their way towards the exits. But me and a few other people in the crowd started, you know, trying to calm down the situation. Because the last thing we need is somebody to get trampled, block the exit and then he`ll make it a shooting gallery.

PINSKY: Well, Quentin, thank you for that update. I mean, it just sounds awful. I had no idea the theater next door was struck and people were actually potentially -- we don`t know what happened to some of these victims in that theater as well.

Let me quickly take a call. Anita in New York. Anita, you went to ring in here.

CALLER: Yes, I did. Good afternoon, or evening, Dr. Drew.

PINSKY: Yes, ma`am.

CALLER: I do have a question in regard to what`s being discussed as far as mental health issues are concerned.

PINSKY: Yes.

CALLER: Since it seems to occur more in the setting of college students or, I would say, as young as elementary students, because I`ve heard that occurring, too, do you think it should be required to do a mental health assessment on students as young as pre-k, kindergarten.

PINSKY: It`s a great question. It`s a great question. And here would be -- I`ll let you, guys, ring in on this, Dr. Sharp and Michelle, that schizophrenia comes on 18 to 22 or, you said, 16 to 24. Eighteen to 22 is what I think of this one.

SHARP: It`s a disease of young adults.

PINSKY: Well, young adults and manic depression tends to come out in those ages, too. So, high schools and colleges. Unfortunately, I have to take yet another break. I mean, we have so much to talk about but I`m going to have you, guys, answer that after the break. We`ll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PINSKY: Okay, a couple things -- a, we are going to keep this conversation going on Monday. We ran out of time in here today. Two, couple -- I got to define a couple of terms. We keep using the word "psychotic". It`s a -- I`ll talk about it more on Monday.

When some people lose connection from reality. It`s a medical state, a brain state. It`s abnormal. As opposed to "psychopath" which is a brain disorder from birth where people can`t appreciate other people really exist.

We`ll talk more about that. But, to answer the question I mentioned before the break, Dr. Sharp, should schools go after this or not.



SHARP: Of course they should. And prevention is what it`s all about.

PINSKY: OK. Michelle.

WARD: I completely agree. They should. But I worry about the stigma associated with --

PINSKY: So, stigmatizing kids in high school or college could -- OK, how about if we reduce the stigma and identify kids and require them to get treatment if they have real problems.

WARD: Absolutely. And have accountability, as long as they get pushed in the right direction.

PINSKY: As long as we all reduce the stigma. So, we realize it is a medical problem, like any other. Back to calls. Buddy in New York. Buddy.

CALLER: Hi, Dr. Drew, pleasure to talk to you.

PINSKY: Thanks, Buddy.

CALLER: I`m a retired fireman from New York. I`ve seen the results of what human beings can do to one another. I think the answer to all your questions is -- there is no answer.

Anybody who takes the life of another human being -- I`m a gun owner and the anti-gun people are all over this. You could take all the guns off the face of the earth. If these people want to kill somebody, they`ll kill you with a rock.

It`s a mental defect. Whether it is a thug on the street with a handgun, killing somebody or Columbine or what we have here today. I`m sorry to say that life, as we know it, will change not for the better. When you go to a movie now, it will be like getting on an airplane.

PINSKY: Right. I think that`s happening already here in Los Angeles. Buddy, I really do appreciate that comment. There`s something deeply insightful about that.

And, I would say, listen, we can`t make sense of some things. That`s why we have religion and philosophy to answer some of these unanswerable questions. I want to thank all my guests tonight. I want to thank all my callers. Hug your kids. "Nancy Grace" begins now.

END

http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2012/07/24/cops-holmes-had-30-grenades.html
Cops: Holmes Had 30 Grenades
July 24, 2012

Police were finally able to enter James Holmes's booby-trapped apartment finding over 30 homemade grenades and ten gallons of gasoline, which officials believe were intended to explode and harm at least part of the apartment building as soon as Holmes' door was opened. 
"Imagine that fireball…you would have an explosion that would knock down the wall of (nearby) apartments. That flame would have consumed the entire third floor (of the apartment complex)," the official said.
 ::snipping2::

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/texas/service-for-jessica-ghawi-on-saturday
Service for Jessica Ghawi on Saturday
Brother is keeping public informed
July 23, 2012

AUSTIN (KXAN) - According to a tweet sent Monday by Jordan Ghawi, the memorial service for his sister, Jessica Ghawi, will be held on Saturday at Community Bible Church in San Antonio.

The service is set for 10 a.m. at 2477 North Loop 1604.

Jessica Ghawi is one of the individuals killed in Friday's shooting at the movie, "Dark Knight Rises," in a special midnight premiere at a theater in Aurora, Colo. She was an aspiring sportscaster, and had worked an internship at Denver's FOX21 station, KDVR, and had also worked at San Antonio's WOAI as an intern.

In a twist of irony, Ghawi was at the scene of last month's shooting at a Toronto shopping mall when a gunman opened fire and wounded seven. Ghawi, who is also known as Jessica Redfield, posted her eyewitness account on her blog, "A Run On of Thoughts."
 ::snipping2::

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1207/23/acd.02.html
ANDERSON COOPER 360 DEGREES
Remembering Colorado Shooting Victims
Aired July 23, 2012 - 22:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Good evening, everyone. I'm Anderson Cooper coming to you tonight from Aurora, Colorado.

It has been another wrenching day here in Aurora. As people here emerge from shock and descend into grief, they're being confronted by the grotesque cartoon-colored image of the man police say was behind their nightmare, everybody's nightmare.

We will, of course, update you on the alleged gunman's day in court and the many days ahead for him. Tonight, though, and throughout our many nights ahead, the main story will not be about that man. We're giving the suspect as little airtime as we can, giving him as little publicity as possible, trying not even to say his name. Instead, we're trying to focus on the victims, focus on the survivors, and the heroes.

And many heroes who have emerged from this horror. In this, we're taking a lesson from the people of Aurora themselves, from the mayor of Aurora, from the governor of Colorado, and from the president of the United States.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I had a chance to visit with each family. And most of the conversation was filled with memory. It was an opportunity for families to describe how wonderful their brother or their son or daughter was. And the lives that they have touched. And the dreams that they held for the future.

I confessed to them that words are always inadequate in these kinds of situations. I also tried to assure them that, although the perpetrator of this evil act has received a lot of attention over the last couple of days, that attention will fade away, and in the end, after he has felt the full force of our justice system, what will be remembered are the good people who were impacted by this tragedy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

A. COOPER: Well, you saw there on your screen the pictures we have of the 12 who died in theater nine just after midnight Thursday night.

The youngest, Veronica Moser-Sullivan, was just 6 years old. They said her name in a vigil here last night, her name and the names of 11 others.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. JOHN HICKENLOOPER (D), COLORADO: Jon Blunk. We will remember. A.J. Boik.

CROWD: We will remember.

HICKENLOOPER: Jesse Childress.

CROWD: We will remember.

HICKENLOOPER: Gordon Cowden.

CROWD: We will remember.

HICKENLOOPER: Jessica Ghawi.

CROWD: We will remember.

HICKENLOOPER: John Larimer.

CROWD: We will remember.

HICKENLOOPER: Matt McQuinn.

CROWD: We will remember.

HICKENLOOPER: Micayla Medek.

CROWD: We will remember.

HICKENLOOPER: Veronica Moser-Sullivan.

CROWD: We will remember.

HICKENLOOPER: Alex Sullivan.

CROWD: We will remember.

HICKENLOOPER: Alexander Teves.

CROWD: We will remember.

HICKENLOOPER: And Rebecca Wingo.

CROWD: We will remember.

HICKENLOOPER: We will remember you.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

A. COOPER: And we, too, will remember them tonight and in the weeks and months and years ahead. And we will speak tonight with the people who knew them and who loved them. We begin with all the latest developments starting with what we saw occurred outside the suspect's apartment, packed with explosives, rigged to kill.

For that, here's Randi Kaye.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Sunrise, Saturday morning. Members of the ATF, FBI, Aurora Police bomb experts, even chemists, gather at the suspected shooter's apartment and device a plan to get inside. They call it a controlled detonation.

SGT. CASSIDEE CARLSON, AURORA, COLORADO, POLICE DEPARTMENT: First and foremost is we need to render the area safe. The most immediate threat is the trip wire.

KAYE: It's just after 8:00 a.m., and this team has already been at it for more than 24 hours. Trying to figure out a way to defuse or detonate explosives the suspect set inside.

(on camera): Through the window of his third floor apartment, they can see a web of trip wires. And a living room full of about 30 homemade IEDs strung together with firecracker shells. There are also jars of black powder and liquid accelerant, cans of gasoline, too.

(voice-over): At 10:33 a.m., progress.

CARLSON: We have been successful in defeating the first threat, which includes defeating the trip wire that -- and the first incendiary device.

KAYE: A robot driven by a bomb technician does the dangerous work humans can't. Spraying water on the control box in the kitchen, wired to the IEDs. Disabling explosives while preserving evidence.

DAN OATES, AURORA, COLORADO, POLICE CHIEF: This apartment was designed, I say, based on everything I have seen, to kill whoever entered it. And if you think we're angry, we sure as hell are angry.

KAYE: A couple of hours later, just before noon, firemen shout, fire in the hole, and then -- at 12:08 p.m., confirmation the most serious threat is over.

CARLSON: We have been successful in detonating the second triggering device. We are confident that we have eliminated all major threats at this point. However, there are -- there are many hazards that remain inside this apartment.

KAYE: Hazards like improvised Napalm and other flammables and accelerants. Designed to intensify the fire after an explosion. By 6:00 p.m., much of the dangerous material is hauled away to this open field outside the city limits and detonated.

(on camera): Back here at the suspect's apartment, investigators try to perverse what they can as evidence. Whatever explosives and ammunition are left go to an FBI lab in Quantico, Virginia. They also take with them a Batman poster, a Batman mask and a computer, hoping it contains clues to a motive. (voice-over): Saturday evening, residents from the evacuated buildings nearby are allowed to return home. Many still jittery about what might have been.

TANYA LUJAN, EVACUEE: I didn't know, like, if they were going to be OK, if that place was going to blow up while I was at work, or, you know, what. It was just -- it was really scary.

KAYE: With the apartment secure, the focus turns to where the suspected shooter got all his materials. Investigators say in the last 60 days, he bought more than 6,000 rounds of ammunition online. Including a 100-round magazine for the assault rifle. They track a large number of deliveries to his apartment.

OATES: We also think it begins to explain some of the materials that he had in his apartment.

KAYE (on camera): Police Saturday also do a sweep of the University of Colorado Medical School where the suspect was enrolled. They have to be sure he didn't booby-trap the campus. They also do a thorough search of all biohazard and radioactive material he may have had access to and confirm it is all secure.

(voice-over): Now investigators know the suspected shooter wanted to extend the carnage beyond the movie theater. And while they have learned so much more about what he allegedly planned, they just don't know why.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

A. COOPER: Now, Sunday, new information came out regarding what happened with one of the suspect's guns in the theater.

Randi, what have you learned?

KAYE: Well, yesterday, Anderson, we got some new information about one of these guns. As you know there were three guns in that theater. One was the shotgun, another was the assault rifle, and then the Glock handgun. Well, we're told by sources close to the investigation that the assault rifle actually jammed. As we know it had that extended magazine on it which carried 100 rounds of ammunition. It was capable of firing 50 to 60 rounds of ammunition per minute, and so that jammed, which really, luckily, limited the number of shots that the suspect could get off.

I'm told by our source that the after-market extended magazines, like he was using in this case, do have a tendency to jam. And thank goodness, Anderson, it did.

A. COOPER: Randi, thanks very much for that.

One of the people who lost their lives inside that theater, Alex Teves. His father, Tom, is with me right now. His mom Karen is also here in Aurora. Alex was mortally wounded while shielding his girlfriend from gunfire. Alex died a hero. His father today faced the suspect in court. In his own words, a coward. Tom joins us now, along with Alex's girlfriend Amanda, and also Alex's best friend Ryan Cooper.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I mean, it sounds like such a hollow thing to say. But how are you holding up?

TOM TEVES, FATHER OF SHOOTING VICTIM: We're all -- you've got to move forward. You know, Alex would have expected us to live. We're going to live.

You know, Alex was all about life. I can talk about being -- I didn't really dress up but there's a reason for this. Alex was the type of kid who brought people together. When he was in high school, for no reason whatsoever -- well, Alex used to wear blue jeans and a white T-shirt every day to school.

And my wife, being the anal-retentive woman that she is would have -- there'd be 16 on laundry day, T-shirts on my, you know, my hangers.

A. COOPER: Yes.

TEVES: All hung up, ironed. And he would wear them every day. Through all of high school. And then his halfway through senior year, they decided for no reason to have Alex Teves day. And 400 or 500 kids came to school in blue jeans and a white T-shirt, and there were girls that said, I love Teves, and, you know, it was pretty cool.

A. COOPER: How did you guys meet?

AMANDA LINDGREN, GIRLFRIEND OF SHOOTING VICTIM: We met in school. We went to grad school together at DU. So we started as friends. But immediately, it was so much more than that.

A. COOPER: And Ryan, how long have you guys been best friends?

RYAN COOPER, BEST FRIEND SHOOTING VICTIM: I have known Alex for about 10 years. You know, he was my best friend but, you know, saying "friend" almost doesn't even do it justice. I mean, he really was like the other part of me. I knew Alex for 10 year. We went to high school together. We lived all four years in college together. We were extremely close.

A. COOPER: What do you think it was about him that drew you to him?

R. COOPER: I don't know. You know, It's not even what drew me to him. It was about what drew everybody to him. And, you know, Tom's story about everybody that dressed up as Alex that one day in high school just shows that everybody was drawn to him. And he was so funny. Like, that's what I'm trying to tell everybody who doesn't know him, is he was just the most hilarious person wherever he would go. His jokes, and he was extremely caring. You know, we went to the University of Arizona together. And we loved going to football and basketball games together. And as much as he loved that, he would take time and miss those games to mentor kids in the community who, you know, didn't have dads and were just really hurting and -- COOPER: He wanted to be a counselor, he wanted to be a psychiatrist.

TEVES: Well, he was -- he got his master's degree in psychology. And he decided that he can do more impact that he was going to go back and get his degree in physical therapy. You know, he just wanted to help people. Alex was just one of those kids. You know, you guys do investigative journalism. I would challenge you to find someone who will say a bad word about him. And that's -- you know.

A. COOPER: Yes.

TEVES: I will come back and eat crow if you can find it.

A. COOPER: I'm obviously not going to pester you with questions about what happened that night but you feel Alex did save your life?

LINDGREN: I don't -- I mean, with every ounce of my being, he did. He -- I wouldn't be here without him.

A. COOPER: You were in the courtroom today. A lot -- I talked to a lot of family members who don't want to even look at that person. Why did you want to be there?

TEVES: Because it's -- I wanted to see what he looks like, first off. Second off, he doesn't look like much. Third off, it's not about him. It's about this poor girl who was a victim as well. It's about my son who -- this individual dressed in riot gear, whatever it is, with guns. Literally blew his head off because he was protecting her.

It's not about him. I just wanted to see him and I wanted to see there's people who care and aren't afraid of him.

A. COOPER: What is it like being here in Aurora? I mean, you...
TEVES: Awful.

A. COOPER: Awful?

TEVES: It's the worst day of my life every day. Alex was my first-born son. I love him with all my heart. Just like I like those two. I like them. I don't really love them. You know what I mean. But it's awful. It's awful. And it's senseless. And if we don't stop talking about the gunman -- so somebody took a gun and went in and shot a 6-year-old girl? Why are we talking about that person?

Why -- I would love to see, and I will give you a challenge. I would like to see CNN come out with a policy that said moving forward, we're not going to talk about the gunman. What we're going to say is, a coward walked into a movie theater and started shooting people. He's apprehended. The coward's in jail. He will never see the light of day again. Let's move on to the victims. Never talk to him again.

And I will tell you, the analysis -- the analogy -- I'm not great with words right now, OK.

COOPER: Just say it. Don't worry.

TEVES: Not been my best week. Is if you think about it, you used to see people jump on the fields all the time. Everybody would cover it and everybody would laugh, right? The networks said we're not going to cover that anymore. When was the last time you saw somebody jump on the field? Now that's completely different level, right? But there's a lot of reasons. We always say why, why. And we never know why. But we got enough data. Let's start figuring out why. And I will guarantee one of them is because they want to be on television. They want to be infamous.

We can stop it. We can't stop it. We can only get shot. CNN, FOX News, the major networks. Why don't you guys all come out with a policy that says, we're not going to show this again, we realize we made a mistake, but just so this never happens again, here's what we're going to do.

That would be my -- that would be my challenge to you and to every network. And let's see who comes out with it first.

A. COOPER: Well, I also think -- I mean, I think a start also is not using this person's name, which...

TEVES: I don't know what it is.

A. COOPER: Which we're not doing very consciously. And sadly, not everybody is following our policy but I understand why you're saying that.

TEVES: I read "USA Today" all the time because I travel and they drop it at my door, right? I can't read it because I got to rip the guy's face out every time I look at the paper so, you know...

A. COOPER: How do you -- what is the next step for you, I mean? What...

TEVES: For me, it's to make sure this little girl gets taken care of, and she heals. It's to make sure those two little -- those little guys, they're going to kill me, they're 17 -- 16 and 17, they heal, make sure my wife heals, and make sure the thousands and thousands of people who are sending me e-mails because they knew Alex at least know we appreciate their prayers.

And then I don't know. Some of the -- a lot of the victims feel the same way as I. Maybe it's time for us to rise up. Because if you guys don't do it, maybe we use the Internet. And we say, you show that, OK, whoever advertises next, we'll never buy your product. That will do it.

But I think we will be proactive. You guys should look at yourselves and say, we need to take some ownership. We're not -- it's not just us. We're not the only reason. But let's fix our own house before we blame the gun lobby or whatever. I'm not saying they're right either. You're -- I'm not making any political comments.

A. COOPER: Use the time obviously to focus on...

TEVES: Yes.

A. COOPER: On the survivors, on the victims.

TEVES: Exactly.

A. COOPER: The people that matter.

TEVES: It should always be on the victims. Stop making them infamous. What else are they going to do? I saw the guy today.

A. COOPER: I think it's also one of those horrible things that even years from now people sometimes remember the name of the killer and...

TEVES: Give me one person who died in Tucson besides Gabby Giffords. No one can give me an answer. There was a girl from 9/11 who died. They made her -- but nobody can remember the name. But you can still remember the face of that -- that coward. Because that's the only word I'm going to use on television.

A. COOPER: Right. Listen, I appreciate you all being on and talking about Alex and helping people to get to know him. So I think that's the most important thing what we're trying to do right now.

TEVES: Yes, I appreciate it. Thanks.

A. COOPER: Tom, thank you.

TEVES: Thanks for your time.

A. COOPER: I appreciate it. I wish you strength. All right. Thank you very much. I'm so sorry.

TEVES: Thanks for your time.

A. COOPER: We -- there's a lot more to talk about. You're going to meet other family members of people whose lives were lost.

We're on Facebook. Follow me on Twitter right now @AndersonCooper.

As we continue tonight from Aurora, more stories of heroes who died saving others, just like Alex, of the fallen and how this community is trying to come together.

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) DAVID JACKSON, STEPFATHER OF SHOOTING VICTIM MATT MCQUINN: Couldn't have asked for a better son or -- always ready to help his friends.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

A. COOPER: That's David Jackson, the stepfather of Matt McQuinn who died saving his girlfriend's life. Matt McQuinn was just 27 years old. We're in Aurora, Colorado, again tonight.

When we arrived on Friday, people were dealing not only with the trauma of a mass shooting, some were during the agony of not knowing. Not knowing what had happened to their loved one.

The bodies of 10 of the 12 people killed were still inside the movie theater until late in the day on Friday. Notification of next of kin did not happen until late that night. And as you just heard from Alex's father Tom, in the previous segment, there's a whole range of emotions. And there's -- there's a lot of anger even at some of the coverage about the attention that the suspect has been getting.

Not only seeing his picture but it's really the repeating of his name that bothers many people here. And that's why we're choosing not to use it tonight. I would certainly echo a lot of what Tom's -- what Alex's father said. And hope other people in the weeks ahead try not to focus as much on the name of the suspected killer and more on those whose lives were lost.

For a time, people simply did not know whether a family member or friend was dead or alive on Friday. I spoke on Friday night with a young man named Marcus Weaver.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARCUS WEAVER, EYEWITNESS: My friend, she's still missing, her name is Rebecca Wingo. And there was a report somewhere between -- on Goodwill where they're looking on the Internet, her friends and family, and her dad has called me. And so they have been searching the hospitals and she's yet to be found.

What happened was, when we got off of the ground, there was a moment where he stopped shooting, and so I picked her up and she had blood all over her face. And her body was bloodied. And she was unconscious. So I tried to pick her up with my left hand and get her through the row. But there were people trampling over the seating coming down. There were people in my -- in my aisle who were, like, laying down, injured, dead, crying. I mean, it was awful so I ended up tripping and then had to set her down.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

A. COOPER: Well, hours later, the sad news came out. Rebecca Wingo did die in that movie theater. So did nine others. Two more died later at area hospitals.

I want to tell you about some of what we know of the 12 whose lives were lost.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

A. COOPER (voice-over): Not far from the Century Theater, 12 white crosses honor those whose lives have been cut short. Airman Kevin Thao came to mourn his friend, Staff Sergeant Jesse Childress, a 29- year-old cyber systems operator, stationed at Buckley Air Force Base.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When I think of Jesse, I think of a big nerd, someone who was always humorous, someone who always made the office brighter.

A. COOPER: A.J. Boik is being remembered for his laughter as well. Only 18 years old, he'd recently graduated high school. His friends have made a Facebook page in his honor, posting videos of him dancing and smiling.

You can't find someone with a brighter smile and more positive outlook, one friend wrote.

Gordon Cowden was the oldest of those who lost their lives. The 51-year-old father, devoted to his kids. He owned his own business and loved the outdoors. He'd taken his two teens to see "Batman." The kids survived.

Twenty-six-year-old Jonathan Blunk was also a father. He had two young children. A Navy vet he died shielding his girlfriend. His former wife says their 4-year-old daughter now takes comfort listening to him speak on his voice mail message.

CHANTEL BLUNK, WIDOW OF SHOOTING VICTIM: Johnny was the type that always wanted to be the hero. Help anybody in any way he can. Always to make people smile and laugh. He was very optimistic and outgoing.

A. COOPER: Matt McQuinn also died protecting his girlfriend. They both recently moved to Colorado. His friends and family want to remember his great heart and his big personality.

JACKSON: I'm very proud of him. We're going to miss him.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're nailing it, I'm telling you. So far so good.

JESSICA GHAWI, KILLED IN COLORADO MASSACRE: I know. I'm doing such a great job.

A. COOPER: Jessica Ghawi was a 24-year-old aspiring sports reporter. She'd moved to Denver to start her career. She was the first victim publicly identified. I spoke to her brother Jordan on Friday.

JORDAN GHAWI, BROTHER OF JESSICA GHAWI: Her dreams cut short and how we're going to be able to sustain those dreams and push them forward. She was an asset to her family, an asset to her friends. An asset to her community.

A. COOPER: John Larimer is also being remembered as an asset to his community. Like his dad and grandfather before him, he joined his Navy. He was just 27 years old.

CMDR. JEFFREY JAKUBOSKI, COMMANDING OFFICER OF JOHN LARIMER: John had that calming personality that everybody seemed to gravitate to. Everything he did either on the job or off the job, he was a true gentleman in every way, shape or form.

A. COOPER: Alex Sullivan was also 27. He was celebrating his birthday. Sunday would have also been his first anniversary with his wife Casey. Everyone says he was full of joy and was loved dearly by his friends and family.

Twenty-three-year-old Micayla Medek was known as Cayla by her friends. She attended Aurora Community College and planned to graduate in 2015. She described herself as an independent girl, just trying to get her life together while having fun.

Just a year older, Alex Teves was 24. He wanted to be a psychiatrist. And recently had earned a master's degree in counseling. He's survived by two younger brothers.

Thirty-two-year-old Texas native Rebecca Wingo has two young girls. She joined the Air Force after high school. Fluent in Chinese, she served as a translator before moving to Colorado.

HAL WALLACE, FRIEND OF REBECCA WINGO: The sweetest smile you'd ever seen. She got prettier as she grew older. In the blink of an eye, something happens and completely changes everyone's life forever.

A. COOPER: In the blink of an eye, everyone's life can change forever.

Little Veronica Moser-Sullivan's life had only just begun. The youngest of all the victims, she was just 6 years old. A vibrant little girl. She'd just learned to swim. A swimsuit, stuffed animals and candles now surround the cross placed in Veronica's memory.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

A. COOPER: We're going to talk to Jon Blunk's girlfriend coming up in a little bit, he -- Jansen Young. He actually gave his life shielding her, protecting her life and saving her life. She's going to join us shortly.

There is some information we want to tell you about, about the suspect. And while we want to focus on the victims in this hour -- and we are -- there is some new information that we do think is important to tell you about. He did have his first court appearance. There's also a mug shot that has now been widely seen.

Drew Griffin has reporting on that next.

We'll be right back. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Well, as we've been saying throughout the hour, and as a lot of family members here have been really trying to impress upon us, we really do want to focus on the victims on this program. I feel very strongly they're the ones whose names should be remembered. Not the alleged shooter's name, as too often is the case in past incidents.

There is some new information to tell you about the suspect. I'm not using his name. You already know his name. We don't need to repeat it. Oftentimes, these kind of killers -- if that, in fact, is what he is; right now he's just a suspect. But oftentimes, these kinds of killers want the attention. They want their names to live on in history. I don't think his name should live on in history. I think the names of those who lost their lives should live on.

The suspect made his first court appearance today. His hair was dyed. He seemed to be in a daze. We heard from Alex's father Tom. Some of the victims and the relatives were inside that courtroom today, watching him very closely. Others had no desire to be inside, had no desire to even look at him.

After his appearance, the suspect was taken back to jail, where he is being held right now in isolation. Drew Griffin has more about what we have found out about the suspect so far.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DREW GRIFFIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Even though the world saw him for the first time today, shock of hair dyed red and orange, at times wide-eyed, even dazed as he watched what was going on, there was little hard evidence as to who he was and what on earth could have motivated him.

Authorities over the weekend tracked the weapons, the ammunition and the protective gear he had amassed. CNN was the first to report he had purchased a protective vest, a knife, and two magazine holders for his gun from a Web site called Tactical Gear. That was July 2, three weeks ago. Everything, including thousands of rounds of ammunition, purchased legally, over the Internet, with a few keyboard strokes.

A week earlier, he had e-mailed an application to join this gun club, the Lead Valley Range. In response, the owner phoned him, not once, but three times, to get things going. But he said he was having trouble understanding the voice message at the other end of the line.

GLENN ROTOVICK, LEAD VALLEY RANGE: The answering machine was very guttural, a very deep voice. Deliberate, bizarre, kind of strange utterings. It was almost freakish.

GRIFFIN: At the Anschutz Medical campus here, we did find some people who knew him. One student who worked with him for three months told CNN, quote, "I worked near him, but I wasn't close to him. I don't think anyone was close to him." Said another, who sat in the same lecture classes, "I can't remember him uttering a single word."

None of the students wanted to be identified. School officials had told everyone not to talk with reporters unless cleared in advance.

As for reports that dozens of packages were sent to him at the school, this was the chancellor's answer.

DON ELLMAN, CHANCELLOR, UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO ANSCHUTZ MEDICAL COLLEGE: UPS and FedEx and people like that can come into the buildings and do and make deliveries directly to the departments. They don't necessarily have to go through a shipping or a receiving dock.


GRIFFIN: As an undergrad at U.C. Riverside, he received the highest academic honors. In Colorado, his federal grant from the National Institute of Health paid him about $26,000 to do postgraduate work in a select program of neuroscience: the study of nerves as they affect the brain. It was an elite program.

BARRY SHUR, DEAN, ANSCHUTZ MEDICAL CAMPUS GRADUATE SCHOOL: They recruit, from a highly competitive pool of applicants from around the country and the world, five or six students each year to enter the program.

GRIFFIN: But other than the school's official statement that he was in the process of withdrawing last month, we don't know much else about his time at school.

We have confirmed his membership in an adult Web site, AdultFriendFinder.com.

Late today, an attorney for the family said she would have no comment about his relationship with his parents.

He was silent, mysterious, even ghost-like, it seems. But on July 20, James Holmes apparently decided to no longer blend in. I talked to a survivor who had a front-row seat to the carnage inside theater nine.

CORBIN DATES, MASSACRE SURVIVOR: It seemed like this person was probably acting like a villain. To swing through the door, walk in, dressed all in black: black cap, a black gas mask, body armor. Weapon wrapped around his neck, which I thought was fake. And I'm thinking, this person's going to do something to thrill the audience and somebody dressed as Batman is going to come in and try to subdue this person and then drag him out the theater.

GRIFFIN: According to police, the suspect has barely uttered a word since. According to the police chief, he asked for attorneys shortly after being arrested, not expressing anything to one overriding question. Why?

(END VIDEOTAPE) COOPER: Drew Griffin joins me now.

Obviously, mental state is going to be something that's going to be discussed a lot as this court case develops. There was a press conference from the university. I would have thought, if there was so many problem with his mental state, it would have shown up over many months or years. But the university's saying the program he was in, he was carefully monitored.

GRIFFIN: Yes, and the news coverage got a little bit contentious when they were describing a program, Anderson, with just six students in this class, with heavily involvement, heavily monitored by faculty, staff.

And admittedly, say if any student was in trouble -- remember, this kid was going to withdraw -- if any student was in trouble, there would be more or less what they described as an intervention by the faculty to try to rescue this kid's academic career, because it is so highly unlikely anyone would withdraw.

COOPER: So -- so he had these finals, these oral finals. And then he alerted the school that he was withdrawing?

GRIFFIN: Absolutely right. Which would have triggered program development manager, his faculty staff monitor, what they are calling the family of neuroscience, to gather around this student and literally try to rescue his career.

COOPER: Do we know when that would have been?

GRIFFIN: That would have been just around June 10. June 10 is when they removed his access card from the school.

COOPER: And already, we know he had been ordering guns at that point?

GRIFFIN: He had been ordering guns. We know that just a few weeks later, he would be applying for the gun range. July 2 is when he received his tactical gear. The school is refusing to say anything about it. And actually, the chancellor said the families -- when we asked, that's not good enough for the families, the chancellor said, they'll find out the answers in court.

COOPER: Drew Griffin, appreciate the reporting.

Joining me now is -- live is CNN senior legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin. Criminal defense attorney Mark Geragos also joins me. And former FBI Mary Ellen O'Toole, the author of "Dangerous Instincts: How Gut Feelings Betray Us." Appreciate all of you being on.

Jeffrey, watch the suspect in court today, it would be easier to think maybe he's mentally ill or wants to be perceived as mentally ill. In terms of insanity, legally speaking, that's -- what is considered insane?

JEFFREY TOOBIN, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Well, you know, this is an issue that the legal system has struggled with literally for centuries.

The best way I can define it is, if you don't know what you're doing, if you think you are chopping down a tree when you are killing someone, then you are legally insane.

If you know you are killing someone, even if it's for bizarre, horrible, inexplicable reasons, then you're not insane.

So the fact that this suspect purchased all these weapons, purchased all these -- all this ammunition, that would certainly argue against a finding of insanity, because it suggests he knew what he was doing, at least in terms of buying guns to shoot them.

COOPER: And Mark, in terms of what kind of punishment he might face, what about -- the death penalty's been discussed. What's the history of that in this state? Is that likely?

MARK GERAGOS, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Well, Colorado is a death penalty state, but I think there's only been one person executed in the last 25 years. But if you're ever going to have anybody who is a candidate for the death penalty, this would seem to be the poster child.

The problem is that I don't know that you ever get to a trial anytime soon. This -- you'll remember with the Gabby Giffords shootings, that person is not competent. That person is not -- has not stood trial yet. It could be a while yet before this person ever stands trial.

One of the interesting things is that at least it's being reported that one of the first things he did -- first things he did was ask for a lawyer. That tends to argue for competency, is that he knows or has some wherewithal to know what the proceedings are or that he's facing proceedings such that he would need a lawyer.

But I think we're a ways off before there's going to be any kind of a proceeding or a trial in this matter.

COOPER: Mary Ellen, in your past career as a profiler, I mean, you've interviewed a lot of people who have engaged in activities like what happened. A lot of shooters. Is it a myth that somebody who does something so extremely violent must be insane?

MARY ELLEN O'TOOLE, FORMER FBI PROFILER: It is a myth. It's actually one of three myths that I'm hearing over and over here as regards to this case. And the first one is that someone who engages in such extreme violence cannot also be extremely intelligent. That's one myth.

Myth No. 2 is that someone who engages in this kind of extreme violence has to be, quote/unquote, "crazy."

And then the third myth that I'm hearing is that someone who engages in this kind of extreme violence must come from an obviously dysfunctional family. So, again, those are three myths that I think are being put out there, and they're simply not my experience in working these kinds of cases.
COOPER: You know, I keep thinking about something that Alex's father, Tom, said earlier on this program, Mary Ellen, about, you know, oftentimes these people want attention. Is that, in your experience, in talking with mass killers, that they like having that attention?

O'TOOLE: It is my experience that wanting notoriety, wanting attention, is one of their motives. And it can be a very strong motive, depending on where they are in the planning stage.

But it's also my experience that there never is just one motive. And motives evolve over time. And as the individual becomes more involved in the planning and the thinking about it and how they're going to carry it out, their motives can change, and one can replace the other.

But notoriety and sensationalism and being given credit for this kind of a crime can be a very strong motivator.

COOPER: Mark, as a defense attorney, what are the steps you would go through now? And in trying to -- I guess, obviously, it's the defense attorney's job to try to prevent a death penalty.

GERAGOS: Well, that's exactly right. And I would be shocked if the public defender there or the court-appointed counsel hasn't already consulted with mental-health experts. That's the very first thing you're going to do.

You're going to take a look at what is the mental state. You're going to try and come up with whether or not this person -- you know, there's two different questions. One is was the person -- what was the mental state at the time of the crime? And then the second question is, is this person sane or able to help with the defense? Are they competent right now?

So those are the two issues that they're struggling with right now. They're not even beginning, I can't imagine, to look at the factual underpinnings of this case. That's not even on the radar yet.

TOOBIN: Anderson, I would just add, the one thing the defense is going to want to do is delay. Delay, delay, delay. Because people are so angry right now that the more time, the better for the defense. And the system is set up so that they can delay.

COOPER: Jeff Toobin, appreciate it. Mark Geragos, as well. Mary Ellen O'Toole, appreciate your expertise. Thank you.

So many questions still remain. In the hail of bullets inside that theater, heroes emerged. John Blunk is one of them. He put his own safety second, and it cost him his life. He died while shielding his girlfriend from the gunfire. We're going to talk to her in just a moment. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Welcome back to our continuing coverage live from Aurora, Colorado. As we said, we've been trying to tell you the stories of many of the victims from Friday's killing as possible.

Twenty-six-year-old John Blunk. We want you to know about him. He was a Navy veteran, father of two. He was killed shielding his girlfriend, Jansen Young, from the gunfire. Jansen joins me now.

It's a dumb question, but I mean, how are you holding up? How are you getting through?

JANSEN YOUNG, BOYFRIEND KILLED IN MASSACRE: I'm doing OK. It's traumatic. It's been a traumatic experience. But today's better than yesterday. And hopefully, the worst isn't yet to come.

COOPER: What do you want people to know about John?

YOUNG: That he is a hero. And he was a hero before this, before I met him. All he wanted to do was serve his country. And, you know, help people in need. He used to say that he was born to serve his country. And he just really is. He's a true hero.

COOPER: Service is something that was really important to him?

YOUNG: Oh, yes, definitely.

COOPER: That's why he joined the Navy?

YOUNG: Uh-huh.

COOPER: And I don't -- I'm not going to -- I'm not going to pepper you for details of what happened, obviously, because I don't want you to have to relive it, because I'm sure you've been reliving it nonstop. But he shielded you?

YOUNG: Yes, he laid up against me and had the other side of my body against the concrete seating. And yes, I was pretty much boxed in due to John. And he really told me, you know, what to do and guided me in that situation and saved my life.

COOPER: You've obviously never been in a situation like this. Hardly anybody has. I mean, what -- what do you want people to know about what you and the other family members are going through now? What should people know, keep in their minds?

YOUNG: They just have to keep them close, you know, and remember the great things they've done. Remember the things that are special. And it helps to talk to people that love you, and hugs help.

COOPER: Does it help -- I lost a brother in very different circumstances many years ago. And I always find it hard to talk about him or remember how he lived his life, as opposed to how he lost his life. Do you -- do you find it helps to talk about John? YOUNG: To people that I'm close with, I find it, like, really helpful. When I get to talk about, you know, that situation and things, yes, I find it helpful. And -- but, you know, I guess everybody's a little different.

COOPER: Thank you very much for talking with us. And I can't imagine how difficult it is. I know there are many difficult days ahead. I wish you strength and peace.

YOUNG: Thank you, thank you so much.

COOPER: Thanks, appreciate you being with us.

We will remember John, of course. And all the others who lost their lives and their family members who have been left behind. Next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PIERCE O'FARRILL, SURVIVED MASSACRE: I was just laying there. And I felt him literally standing right above me. I mean, his boot couldn't have been no more than 6 inches away from my head. And I heard a couple more shots. And at that point, the first thought going through my head was "He's just -- he's going to finish what he started right now," you know? I just laid there and I thought he's -- "that's it, this is it."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COOPER: Pierce O'Farrill, who was in the theater that night. President Obama met with him and other survivors as well as victims' families here in Aurora yesterday. And said that words are inadequate in these kinds of situations, but he wanted to let them know that the whole country is thinking about them and will continue to think about them.

Also yesterday, thousands gathered for a prayer vigil here. Here are some of the sights and the sounds from that vigil as we honor the victims and their families.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(MUSIC: "Amazing Grace")

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Tonight, we come together to pray and to be with one another. Some of us are survivors, family members, or friends of those who have suffered through this senseless and evil act of violence.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: For those who are feeling the ripple effects, their families and their friends, may you comfort them. May you walk with them in the days ahead, and may they continue to know that they have received an outpouring of new friends in this community, of new friends in this nation. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We thank you, that you have not shrunk back from this challenge. And that you, with great skill and great dare, ran into the building, ran into places, willing to lay down your life for others.

(MUSIC: "AMAZING GRACE")

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We weep because we have hope that tomorrow is going to be brighter. You are Aurora. We are Aurora. We grieve together.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: July 20 should never be about remembering this event or the killer. It should be about remembering those victims. John Blunk.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A.J. Boik.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jesse Childress.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Gordon Cowden.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jessica Ghawi.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: John Larimer.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Matt McQuinn.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Micayla Medek.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Veronica Moser-Sullivan.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Alex Sullivan.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Alexander Teves.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And Rebecca Wingo.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will remember.

(MUSIC: "AMAZING GRACE")

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: We will remember.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Thanks very much for joining us on our coverage. That does it for us, on this edition of 360, live from Aurora, Colorado. "ERIN BURNETT OUTFRONT" starts now.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1207/23/ijvm.01.html

JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL
Was Shooting Suspect Putting on an Act in Court?
Aired July 23, 2012 - 19:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I wouldn`t want my family sitting up there looking at that game after game after game. That was where I was coming from.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Coach, thank you so much. We appreciate your time.

Folks, Jane Velez-Mitchell starts right now.

JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL: Tonight, who is this 24-year-old man suspected in one of the worst massacres in our nation`s history? We are analyzing James Holmes` very first appearance in court today, where his odd behavior and shock of orange hair has sparked a national debate. Was it all some kind of big act?

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
VELEZ-MITCHELL (voice-over): Tonight, shock and revulsion as the man accused of one of the worst massacres in U.S. history shows up in court with wild orange hair after arresting cops say he claimed he was The Joker. The 24-year-old is accused of killing 12 people and injuring 58 others in the Batman movie theater shooting spree.

But today in court James Holmes made a series of bizarre facial expressions that had the nation aghast. Why did Holmes look like he could barely keep his eyes open? Is he mad, medicated, or just putting on a big act in the hopes of being ruled mentally incompetent? I`ll talk to a man who had drinks with the accused killer just days before the shooting, and I`m taking your calls for the hour.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Probably lasted for about a minute or two. That`s how, probably -- realistically, that`s how long it lasted.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Theater is secure. We`re bringing out bodies now. Get someone to the back as soon as you can. Rescue personnel, I`ve got like three to seven hit.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You have the right to remain silent. Any statements can be used against you.

Probable cause to believe you committed the offense of first-degree murder, which is a class one felony.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This evil, this death, it had no bounds. It had no shame. It did not care about age. It did not care about sex. It didn`t care about anything. Little girls were shot. Little boys were shot. Everybody -- people was shot. Teenagers were shot. People that were still in high school, they were shot. He did not care. Death did not care at all.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Police say Holmes spent months planning out his alleged rampage, gathering his arsenal, executing his plan, and pulling the trigger with, quote, "calculation and deliberation."

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I just ran out. I didn`t turn around. I didn`t look behind me. I just got out. And there was a moment where my daughter tripped, and I just pulled her up, and I was just dragging her. And I was just thinking we`ve got to get out.

DARIUS HARVEY, SHOOTING SURVIVOR: I tried to help my friends get out. I saw multiple of my friends and people that I didn`t know get shot.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Good evening. Jane Velez-Mitchell coming to you live.
A chilling first glimpse of a suspected mad man. Our jaws dropped as we watched the suspect in Friday`s Colorado theater movie massacre appear for the very first time in court.

James Holmes, 24, the man who told police he was The Joker, had wild red and orange hair. At times he was bug-eyed; at times barely able to keep his eyes open. Was the 24-year-old former doctoral candidate medicated?

The sheriff told us he doesn`t know and couldn`t tell us if he did. Is this man insane, or was it all an act? Is the strange behavior we saw today part of an elaborate master plan by Holmes to avoid prosecution?

Many people are asking whether his bizarre behavior in court was an effort to look incompetent so he didn`t have to stand trial, so he`d go to some mental institution instead? Our experts will weigh in.

Now, take a look at this. Our country still reeling from the horror of early Friday morning: 12 people dead, 58 others wounded as they watched "The Dark Knight Rises" at a Colorado theater outside Denver.

Now, I want you to take a look at an animation of what police say happened. And this is -- it`s chilling. Holmes bought a movie ticket. He snuck out an emergency door, that he propped open. And then he came back in and threw -- there he is. According to this animation.

After leaving that door, he puts his gear on, and then he comes back in and throws a tear-gas-like substance and starts shooting. So this gives you a sense of where this happened in the movie theater.

Police say he was, quote, "head to toe" in ballistic gear, all black, complete with a gas mask. Holmes looked nothing like that today as he came face-to-face with some of the survivors. Others recovering at the hospital still visibly shaken from the nightmare of that night.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: After I got hit, I fell to the ground. I was just waiting for the shooting to stop. And I was thinking, this is not actually happening. It was -- it was hard to believe it even when it was happening.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: We`re going to tell you some of the harrowing stories. Stories of courage, as well.

Police think Holmes spent months planning this attack and amassed an arsenal of weapons and ammo. Listen to this from a man whose sister was killed in the theater.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JORDAN GHAWI, BROTHER OF VICTIM: This guy is nothing. He`s a coward and a genius. He knows what he`s doing. He`s playing the system. I don`t believe for a second that he`s sitting there, his wide eyes and pretending to be incoherent. He knows what he`s doing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: What do you believe? Was it an act, or is he insane? Call me: 1-877-JVM-SAYS. I want to hear from you. We`re doing this for the hour: 1-877-586-7297.

All right. Jon Lieberman, HLN contributor, you covered so many of these cases. Is he insane, or was this a big act in court?

JON LIEBERMAN, HLN CONTRIBUTOR: Well, first of all, calling this an act is a disservice to the victim. If you call this an act, because this sure as heck is real for the victims and their families to have to sit in the courtroom and look at this guy.

I don`t know if he`s insane or if this is an act. But I do know this. This is a well-educated guy, and prosecutors are right now building a premeditated first-degree murder case against him. They want to show that this was meticulously planned out, and this guy now has capital defense attorneys. Public defenders who specialize in death penalty cases.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: All right. Dr. Dale Archer, clinical psychiatrist. An act or insane? Because I got to tell you, I was watching in court, and I want to show him in court again today. And my gut told me that all the rolling of the eyes and the pouty looks and the closing of the eyes and all of that, to me, my gut, and I could be wrong, but it told me it was an act. It was an attempt now, as part of the charade, to take it to the next level to avoid prosecution, to avoid a trial, to end up in some mental institution, which is what happens when you`re ruled incompetent to stand trial.

DR. DALE ARCHER, CLINICAL PSYCHIATRIST: No, I don`t think an act, Jane. I think he`s psychotic.

And remember, that in order to get an insanity plea, that`s the severest type of psychosis. But what you`re seeing when he reacts with those different eye movements and opening and closing and all, he`s reacting to his inner reality. Not to what`s going on in the courtroom. He`s delusional. He`s having hallucinations, and that`s why you`re getting that reaction.

I`ll also throw in, he was not medicated. It`s very difficult to get a psychiatric medication in prison.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Mark Eiglarsh, an act or insane? I`m saying an act. Dr. Dale Archer says he`s psychotic.

MARK EIGLARSH, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Well, Jane, we`ve got to focus on the issue. Let`s just say it`s an act. Let`s say they gave him medication. That`s not the issue. Let`s understand what happened.

If, in fact, he can`t assist his attorneys right now to proceed, they`ll dope him up on psychotropic drugs until he`s able to assist his attorneys.

The more important issue is, was he insane at the time? And the defense then would have to show that he has a mental defect of a disease, and that because of that defect or disease, he did not know right from wrong at the time. And Jane, with what we know now, there`s a wealth of information that clearly illustrates that he knew right from wrong at the time. Even if he was suffering from some mental defect or disease.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Carol, Indiana, your question or thought. Carol, Indiana. We want to hear from you at home. What do you think? Insane or an act -- Carol?

CALLER: It`s an act, and he`s good at it. He`s a professional at it. And it wasn`t a disservice to call him a nut, or it was an act. It was a disservice to the victims for allowing somebody to buy assault weapons and assault gear.

And Mark, I have a question for you, if I may ask it.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Yes, go ahead.

EIGLARSH: Go ahead.

CALLER: OK, Mark, and this is -- don`t take this the wrong way, but if the judge tells you to be quiet in court, what do you do?

EIGLARSH: What do I do?

CALLER: Yes.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, what`s the point, Carol? I just want to get your point. Because...

CALLER: OK. When the policeman told Zimmerman to stay in the car, that`s what he should have done. Have a good day.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: All right. Well, thank you, Carol. And people are passionate about a lot of the stories we`ve covered. We`ve covered George Zimmerman. This is certainly the biggest story since that case and could be the biggest story of the year.

We all watched James Holmes` bizarre court appearance. Some say he looked like he was out of it and making very bizarre facial expressions. And a debate immediately arose over whether he was medicated, he was on some kind of medication, sedative, or not. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It`s possible but highly unlikely. They would be very, very leery of administering any sort of drug that might affect his ability to understand the charges against him. I`m betting his appearance was not drug induced in any way.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, Robin. It`s pretty easy to sort of interpret this as defiance because we`re all so outraged by what went down. But I say he`s very medicated.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: All right, could Holmes be trying to act crazy, because he wants to be declared mentally incompetent and thereby avoid a death-penalty trial and end up in some mental institution?

Now here`s the key. We called the sheriff today. The sheriff`s department would not tell us if Holmes was medicated. But they did say they do a medical screening for every incoming inmate and determine if they have a condition and need to be medicated after talking with their doctor. The implication is, if an inmate has a preexisting medical condition that requires medication, they will get it. So that raises the question.

Dr. Dale Archer, clinical psychiatrist. Do you think he was on anti- depressants at the time of the shooting? Because the impression we got is they`re not going to give him new meds unless he`s completely out of control. They`re going to give him meds that he may have been taken before he goes into jail.

ARCHER: Well, that holds for virtually all medication. But with psychiatric medications there`s a higher bar.

So first of all, he would have to be taking them before he went in. Then they would have to contact the doctor and the psychiatrist would say, "Yes, he`s on them, and I think he needs to stay on them. Then the prison psychiatrist would get involved and have to approve them. And all of that would have to be done in the last two days. That`s highly unlikely.

Usually when you get a case like this, you want to get some background on the inmate and see how are they acting? Are they depressed? Are they anxious? Are they psychotic? And do they really need these meds?

VELEZ-MITCHELL: My question is, could he have been medicated at the time of the shooting? This raises -- you`re saying, or people have been saying it looks like he`s medicated or he`s acting. Different experts are disagreeing.

ARCHER: Right.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: But if he is medicated now, doesn`t raise the issue of couldn`t he have been on some kind of meds at the time of the shooting?

ARCHER: He could have been on meds at the time of the shooting, Jane. But OK, remember, this is almost 72 hours afterwards. So any medication he was taking then would have been long gone. And I`m going to say fairly emphatically that I would be shocked if they had already started him on psychiatric meds in the prison, even if he was taking those before. I think that`s something that you would take your time, really assess before you would immediately slam it back on those meds. And so that would beg the question that he`s not medicated now.

So we really have no evidence or no proof whatsoever that he would have been medicated at the time that he did the shooting.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have multiple people shot. A white Kia!

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Copy. There`s another victim in a white Kia. Where is that vehicle at?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I need an emergency corps (ph) behind the theater. The suspect`s in a gas mask. Hold here one second. The car is that white car in the rear of the lot. Is that the suspect?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. We`ve got rifles, gas masks. Got an open door going into the theater.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK, hold that position. Hold your suspect.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I got seven down in theater nine! Seven down!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let`s get everybody on this. An assault rifle.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: That is some of the dispatch chatter. Heroic officers arrived quickly at the scene. That was the suspect`s car.

And tonight we`re learning more about the bizarre behavior from the suspect, James Holmes. Eerie warning signs before the attack that a gun- range owner picked up on. Listen to this from FOX News.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When I called him, he didn`t give me -- he didn`t answer. I ended up with his answering service, that had a rather bizarre message on it. That started me wondering a little bit about it. And you know, I called him a second time, later, and it was the same message that was there, which starts making you wonder.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: All right. And we`re going to show you reenactments, animation of the shooting that HLN created.

Want to go to CNN correspondent Drew Griffin live on the ground in Aurora, Colorado. Your team has been digging and spoke to this gun-range owner off camera. What have you learned about Holmes` behavior prior to the massacre?

DREW GRIFFIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We know that he went to this gun range, and let me show you it. It is in Byers (ph), Colorado. That`s a fairly rural -- about a 30-minute drive from where Holmes was living. A private gun club.

He registered to join the membership there online. That was on June 25, Jane. And that`s what prompted the owner, Glenn Rodkovich, to call him, basically to make a sale, to get him out there. But he got was this - - as he described as a weird answering machine. He really says that he couldn`t even determine what the words were. Keeping in mind he`s recalling this a couple of weeks after the fact.

But this is how he described it to us. That message on James Holmes` machines, guttural, freakish, maybe drunk, a deep guttural forced voice. It was odd enough that this gun-range owner told his staff that this guy, James Holmes, if he ever shows up does not get any access to this club, this range, to anything until he, the owner, met him face-to-face and could determine, in his words, if he was an idiot or what was going on because that message machine was so bizarre -- Jane.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Thank you so much, Drew Griffin. And what`s so fascinating about that is the word drunk, and weird and bizarre. So we`re trying to understand this man. Was he on meds? Was he drinking? Was it both? Is he insane or is he highly calculating?

So many gut-wrenching stories meantime, for the massacre. A woman who survived the attack is having a baby as we speak. She`s in labor, tragically under very horrible circumstances. Her husband was shot in the eye during the attack and is in critical condition.

I want to go to Michael West, a dear friend of this couple. I understand you`re there at the hospital. My heart goes out to you and this -- this beautiful couple to have this happen to them at the most -- most precious time of their lives. Tell us what is happening with your friend Caleb.

MICHAEL WEST, FRIEND OF VICTIMS (via phone): Caleb is in the ICU right now. And he`s still in critical condition, but he has stabilized.

Katie is in the same hospital. She`s up on Labor and Delivery. She is having contractions right now, and she just got the epidural. But she`s still not going to be having the baby here in the next couple hours or so, so she`s probably going to have it in the middle of the night some time.

And Caleb, he`s currently in surgery. They took him back to surgery, and we haven`t heard anything new about him the last four or five hours. So we`re looking forward to him getting out of there.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: I understand, Michael, that he was shot in the eye. Tell us about it. It`s so upsetting.

CALLER: Yes. He was -- he was shot with part of the shotgun. Some of the pellets went through his right eye. And, yes, he -- he`s doing better than when he got here. That`s for sure.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Have you been able to speak to Katie Medley? I mean, here she is giving birth, in the process of, and the man she loves, the father of her child, is shot in the eye and undergoing surgery. And you said he`s still in critical condition, I understand. I mean, what a -- what a horror.

WEST: She`s -- she`s -- for the situation, she`s in pretty good spirits, because she has a lot of friends and family here. And this Web site that I made is getting a lot of hits. And there`s just people from all over the country that are showing they`re sport and love for Katie. Everybody is, like, donating money. People wanting to send baby supplies. And it`s turning out good so far. And we`re hoping for the best. That`s all we can do right now.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: I want to know the Web site name, so if people want to contribute, they knew where to go. Tell us.

WEST: The Web site is CalebMedley -- C-A-L-E-B-M-E-D-L-E-Y -- dot com slash help. And from that Web -- from that site, it has his story and a personal story that I wrote about him at the bottom. And there`s a button there where you can go straight to the donation page.

Right now we`ve raised over $24,000, and we`ve had over 800 donors. So our goal is $500,000. It`s a really steep goal. But like I said, Caleb doesn`t have any insurance, and he really needs our support. And the surgeon told us that he is going to be in the...

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It hurts pretty bad in my gums. My bottom gums got pushed back by the bullet, and one tooth was knocked out, and luckily, I caught it in my hand. And then the tooth next to the bottom front just got moved around, and that`s mostly my pain that I have, just because it`s been so much pressure pushed on it.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So the bullet entered right in your chin. Where did the bullet end up?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It`s currently still on this side.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: One of the courageous, courageous survivors.

We`ve been showing you video of the suspect in court today. And a very bizarre, bizarre look. We`re going to show you the suspect with a shock of red hair.

But now we`re going to show you James Holmes speaking at a science camp in 2005. Check out this footage. Watch it. It`s the suspect from ABC News.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAMES HOLMES, SHOOTING SUSPECT: Hello, I`m James. I`ve been working with a temporal illusion. It`s an illusion that allows you to change the past.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: His goals are to become a researcher and to make scientific discoveries. A good start.

HOLMES: Gamers Night (ph), people feel like they have a super power. And I`m like, let them have more fun.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: There he is, and there he is today with the shock of red hair, and the bizarre behavior.

Dr. Drew Pinsky, thank you so much for joining us. And I know your show is coming up at 9 p.m. Eastern with some very interesting information. We`ve been debating. An act, or is he insane, or is he medicated? What do you say?

DR. DREW PINSKY, HLN HOST: Well, it`s definitely not an act. I mean, that`s sort of silly to think about it as an act.

The fact is what you`re seeing there in the picture alongside me is someone who, in my opinion, is medicated.

I`ll tell you, the one thing I`ve noticed with my patients that have - - give me that sort of lid pulling, trying to open their eyes. That`s medication what you see there. You see with those lids dragging. A somnular person who`s sleep deprived will typically sort of nod out and then be awake. They won`t be dragging their eyelids open like that. That is medication.

So if I`m right and that is medication, what you can speculate is when he got to jail he must have been wild, with a need to put him on so much medication to keep him sedated like this.

Now is he -- I think you asked is he insane or crazy? I think that, fairly, is certainly to be the case. But it`s not as though someone with mental illness is going to become a murderer. So I want people to be very careful not to stigmatize mental illness, because in this particular case that`s what happened.

The fact is, he may not be insane from the standpoint of the law because, in he meditated -- in a premeditated fashion, in a very controlled, thoughtful, organized way, planned this thing for months. And the only way he could be insane from the standpoint of the law would be is if he didn`t know the difference between right and wrong for all those months, which is going to be essentially -- an argument that`s impossible to make.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, I think he may have been on meds. And I don`t have any information about this. But because you say he seemed medicated in court, my question is could he have been on meds at the time of the shooting? Ten seconds.

PINSKY: Well, there`s some evidence of maybe some opiates. But I worry about hallucinogens, but I don`t think that`s the primary issue here.

And by the way, his pupils are now mid-position, which suggests he`s not in withdrawal, so I don`t think we`re seeing an addiction story here.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Hmm, fascinating. Well, tonight, Dr. Drew, I know you`re going to spend a few -- a full hour talking to callers about how the survivors of the shooting can recover and how we`re handling it as a nation. I hope it`s a time for national reflection. That`s 9 p.m. Eastern here on HLN.

PINSKY: You bet.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Thanks for joining us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PIERCE O`FARRELL, SHOOTING VICTIM: He was standing literally directly above me. I could feel his boot right next to my head. I just held my face down on the ground and I just stayed as still as I possibly could. And I prayed and I prayed.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hold that position. Hold your suspect.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`ve got seven down in Theater Nine. Seven down.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This man is accused of killing 12 people and wounding 58 others at the midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises".

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This guy is nothing. He`s a coward and a genius. He knows what he`s doing.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When he went straight in the air and came down with his gun in my face. He was about three feet away from me at that point. At that instant, I honestly didn`t know what to do. I was terrified.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She got shot when she got shot. She`s gone. I saw her right there.

(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: You`re looking at the man police say killed 12 people, wounded 58 others in one of the worst mass shootings in our nation`s history. He was in court today -- very bizarre behavior.

Meantime once police secured the movie theater Friday, they turned to suspect James Holmes` apartment which cops say was intricately booby- trapped -- trip wires, explosives, chemical devices. The bomb squad spent the last couple of days trying to secure the building.

Police say Holmes had also set up a timer to play very loud techno music in his apartment as he carried out the shooting spree. As for the booby-trap the chief says he`s never seen anything like it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHIEF DAN OATES, AURORO, COLORADO POLICE: Make no mistake, ok. This apartment was designed, I say -- based on everything I`ve seen -- to kill whoever entered it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Authorities detonated some of the explosives in the apartment in a remote field.

I want to go straight out to CNN correspondent Kyung Lah -- you`ve been all over the story all weekend. What is the very latest?

KYUNG LAH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, what I can tell you is that we have spoken to people who had not seen this man since they were inside the theater. Since this man was dressed in that dark gear, aiming weapons as them.

And so I sat with a young man as the suspect was brought into court. You`ve been talking about his appearance, his hair, the odd behavior, the expressions on his face. But what this young man says he cannot forget is that he thinks this isn`t all an act. Here`s what he told us.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CORBIN DATES, SURVIVED SHOOTING: He has no right to come into court looking like he has a sad face. It`s not right. The look that he has right now is not something that`s going to be believable by anyone. He had this thought out very well.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LAH: So the people who are inside that theater believe this is really a calculated dance, which is yet to be proven, Jane. But at this point they are hoping that the full force of U.S. justice is going to fall on this suspect -- Jane.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: I got to tell you, Kyung. The experts are saying he`s psychotic. He`s delusional. This isn`t an act. That`s silly to say that.

The people are saying, it`s an act. What is the general response you`re getting because you`re on the ground there talking to people, not experts? The experts say it`s not an act. He`s either medicated and/or insane -- maybe not legally but definitely mentally ill.

What are people on the ground telling you?

LAH: Yes. How would you feel if you were staring at the opposite end of a shotgun? Because that`s what they were saying experiencing. So what the people we have spoken to today, especially that young man you heard, they want to see justice move forward.

At least this particular young man really does believes that this is all for show. He did not appreciate the expressions on his face. He doesn`t believe that it`s any sort of mental deficiency. He does believe that this is a calculated act because he was inside the theater. He saw how he was behaving when he had a weapon in his arms and so that`s why he`s coming to this belief -- Jane.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: I got to say there`s a huge rift between what people on the ground, people who have seen this person up close are saying and what the experts are saying, Jon Leiberman.

JON LEIBERMAN, HLN CONTRIBUTOR: We all want answers. We all want to know what the motive is. But the reality sometimes is you don`t get quick answers. And I mean the victims want answers obviously because it`s hard to accept that a crazed madman can go into a movie theater in one of our cities and kill a dozen people.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: One man is talking about how he played dead as the suspected gunman stood right over him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

O`FARRELL: He was standing literally directly above me. I could feel his boot right next to my head. I just held my face down on the ground. I just stayed as still as I possibly could and I prayed and I prayed.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Pierce O`Farrell was a minister from Denver. He was shot twice; thankfully he recovered.

I want to go to Darrel Wilmoth (ph), who was a witness to this carnage. Thank you for your patience, pastor. We`ve had a lot of breaking news on the story. You`re with the Front Range Cavalry out of Denver. You were in the adjoining theater. You were watching "The Dark Knight Rises" when what happened?


DARREL WILMOTH, WITNESS: Well, we were sitting there, and we heard some popping noises over to my right. And I looked to my right and I saw smoke, and I kept hearing the pops. And into the middle of it I got hit in the leg with something. I didn`t know what it was at first. Now we know that bullets and shrapnel and debris were coming through wall.

And you know, I got hit hard enough to take notice and -- that I felt it and I looked over at the guy next to me and I said I just got hit with something. And he goes, I got hit in the arm and the guy over here goes, yes, I got hit in the hand and just trying to figure out what it was because we couldn`t see what was going on.

And so that`s how it kind started for us and I thought from the smoke and I saw some people get up and run. I thought, well, maybe some people had fireworks in there and they kind of let them off as a little prank and they were running out. That`s how it started for us.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: And when you got outside and there`s people screaming outside the theater and you, thankfully, were not seriously hurt, although you were hit. What was the scene out there? Because a lot of people were talking tonight about survivor`s guilt -- have you experienced it?

WILMOTH: I did. And have and still am. I was in the military and you know, obviously you get some training in that. As you hear the stories and how would you react? But that`s not where God had me. I can`t live in that. I have to resist that and meditate on good and pure things because I can`t change where I was.

But I can, you know, understand where I was for a reason and how I helped out and looked at the things that I was able to do.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: And you did help out.

WILMOTH: Yes. Right when we got out there`s the immediacy of the need and of helping people that were hurt. We saw a young woman who was 22 on the ground, and me and another guy got her up to the ambulance. We were kind of coordinating some ambulances and getting up to the people. Other people were carrying folks up to the one ambulance.

The ambulances were further away from us in adjacent parking lots so we were trying to do our best. Everybody was trying to do our best to get the people to the ambulances.

But after we were able to do that and after we were able to take care of the immediacy of the physical, you know, as a pastor, my next, you know, next thing was to take care of the spiritual because, you know, while 70 plus were hurt and injured from this physically, there`s far more that are injured spiritually and their hearts were bleeding. They were calling out and needed a hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ. That`s where we have our hope and our peace in.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Coming up next, we`re going to talk to a man who says he had a drink with this suspect a couple of days before the shooting. We`re going to ask him, did he look like this? Did he have orange hair? What were they talking about? How many drinks did he have?


We`re going to answer all those questions right on the other side of this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GOV. JOHN HICKENLOOPER, COLORADO: Jon Blunk, we`ll remember. A.J. Boik --

CROWD: We will remember.

HICKENLOOPER: Jesse Childress --

CROWD: We will remember.

HICKENLOOPER: Cowden.

CROWD: We will remember.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: The victims of this horror. The list goes on and on. And take a look at the suspect in court today. A man says he had a couple of beers with the murder suspect just a few days before the shooting.

We`re going to show you the suspect on the other side of the break. He`s here to talk with us tonight. But first, here`s what he said about that man, suspect James Holmes.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JACKIE MITCHELL, JAMES HOLMES NEIGHBOR: You couldn`t see this coming. No.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What was he like?


MITCHELL: If you looked at the -- the mug shot on TV, the same guy you see on the TV is like the same guy looking at you. I mean just an intelligent looking guy. So I mean, I don`t -- you don`t know what a killer looks like. It didn`t look like him.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Jackie Mitchell, thank you for joining us. You say you had a drink with James Holmes a couple days before the attack. Did he have the orange hair?

MITCHELL: No.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: He did not have the orange hair? What color was his hair?

MITCHELL: Just brownish black.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Did you have a few drinks? What did you talk to him about? What was he drinking?

MITCHELL: We just had a couple beers. I don`t know if he -- he was sitting, you know. He was in the circle but not talkative.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Did he talk about anything?

MITCHELL: No. Sports.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: I`m having a hard time --

(CROSSTALK)

MITCHELL: He said the Broncos might make the playoffs or they might not make playoffs -- something to that effect.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Wow. So Jackie Mitchell -- Mark Eiglarsh, criminal defense attorney -- Jackie Mitchell, if you can standby. He`s saying that he had a couple beers with him a few days before, just on Tuesday, I believe, and he`s talking about sports. Seems like a normal guy. How do you go from that to being one of the worst, allegedly mass murderers in recent memory?

MARK EIGLARSH, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Well, the doctors are going to sort out what, if anything, he was suffering from. But I need the audience to understand one point. He`s either going to spend the rest of his life in prison, or if they seek the death penalty and the jury deems that to be appropriate, he will die by lethal injection.

The insanity defense is not going to work. It rarely does. And in this case the prosecutors are going to point out the fact that he wore armor. That once the shotgun failed to distribute any more bullets he then moved to the assault rifle. And he knew that once that jammed he needed to move onto the Glock.

These are all indicators that he knew right from wrong when he was committing this horrific act. Coupled with the booby-trap and everything else we`re hearing about, he is not walking.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, also the premeditation and the fact that he pretended like he was a regular customer, goes into the movie theater and slips out an exit door and then comes back head to toe with body armor. To me, Ray Lopez, former FBI agent, right there that says he was aware that something he was doing was wrong. Otherwise he would have just tried to come in if he was completely insane and didn`t know right from wrong, which the legal definition of insanity. He would have come in dressed in dressed in body armor from the get-go, Ray.

RAYMOND LOPEZ, FORMER FBI AGENT: Absolutely. I think this was -- good evening -- but he obviously had this planned out. There was a lot of planning to this. And it`s hard to, I think, to mount a defense of insanity with so many variables. I mean purchasing the weapons, using his driver`s license, buying ammunition online. The chemicals that he used for -- not only the explosives but the gas -- to actually think this whole thing through. And using that gas almost as a diversion, if you will, when he went in there to almost get the people running in the direction where he wanted to shoot, which is basically in the back, from your illustration.

So this was kind of planned out. There was some thought given to this. He had time to plan this out.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: We`ll have more on the movie massacre right after the break. But tonight on Nancy Grace, a 24-year-old nursing student found beaten to death, set on fire and dumped in a grassy are off the side of the road. Investigators discover her car abandoned miles away from where her body was found. Who killed her?

Join Nancy at 8:00 Eastern for the very latest.

And we will have more on the Colorado massacre in a couple of minutes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID JACKSON, STEPFATHER OF SHOOTING VICTIM: It`s not surprising to me that his first thought would be her. That`s what a man does, he protects his loved ones. I`m very proud of him. We`re going to miss him.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Oh, so sad, that`s the father of one of the heroes, Matt McQuinn, he died after literally diving in front of his girlfriend and her older brother. And he saved them. His girlfriend was shot but she is expected to recover. Her brother was not hurt. Matt McQuinn a hero, 27 years old, tragically no longer with us.

Dale Archer, psychiatrist, is survivor`s guilt a real phenomenon? Are these many people who got out alive going to feel it? Or are they already?

DALE ARCHER, PSYCHIATRIST: Survivor`s guilt is very real, Jane. It all revolves around the fact that you blame yourself for somehow not doing enough, for not noticing the situation, for not being able to help more people. You blame, blame, blame yourself for something you have no control over. But it`s real and, of course, the earlier you get involved with therapy if you`re experience these symptoms, the better off you`re going to be.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Mark Eiglarsh, they`re also going to now have to become possibly witness. Their nightmare is just beginning.

EIGLARSH: Yes. There`s no question that they will serve a very valuable function in the prosecutor`s case to prove that everything was done methodically. That he knew right from wrong. He wasn`t in there clucking like a chicken without a plan. He specifically took out each weapon, one after the next, in order to achieve his goal which was massive slaughter.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JENNIFER SEEGER, SHOOTING WITNESS: He was shooting little kids, you know. It`s 6-year-old kids, 3-year-old kids and moms, you know. I`m 22 years old and I didn`t get shot and I was like, you know, why didn`t he take me? You know, instead of that 3-year-old or that 6-year-old, you know what I mean? Like why didn`t he take me?

CHRIS RAMOS, SURVIVED SHOOTING: The image in our heads is stuck in there and I still have the ticket right here. The ticket right here. And honestly, I`m never going to forget this night.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: That`s Chris Ramos. His family says now he`s overwhelmed and he can`t talk anymore.


Ray Lopez, former FBI, how does law enforcement talk to these people without re-victimizing them all over again?

LOPEZ: Jane, I think the most important thing is to empower these victims and the survivors by law enforcement carrying on, irregardless, as you mentioned earlier on your show, whether this man -- this monster is sane or insane. Somebody else is going to make that determination. I think law enforcement from the prosecutors to the judge to all these investigators and forensic people will have to move forward to help these people by empowering them, by giving them justice. And that measure of justice comes in court. They`re going to do the best job they can.

(CROSSTALK)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Jon Leiberman -- thank you Ray Lopez. Thank you for my fantastic panel joining us. Your incredible insights.

Our hearts go out to families involved, this is a nightmare, but we pray that those who are recuperating survive and are well.

END

James Holmes: Aurora shooting suspect used evidence bags as hand puppets, sources say
July 24,2012

DENVER, Colo. -- Shortly after being arrested by police and taken to headquarters, James Holmes acted bizarrely and used evidence bags as hand puppets, according to sources familiar with the investigation.

Sources told CALL7 Investigator John Ferrugia that when Holmes, 24, was brought in after the mass shooting at an Aurora movie theater he sat wide-eyed, with his eyebrows twitching as detectives watched him.
Holmes asked for a lawyer and refused to cooperate.

Sources also said detectives put bags over his hands to preserve any gunshot residue. Sources told CALL7 that Holmes began playing with the bags pretending they were two puppets. ::snipping2::

Read more: http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/national/james-holmes-aurora-shooting-suspect-used-evidence-bags-as-hand-puppets-sources-say#ixzz21YsRU86g

Read more: http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/national/james-holmes-aurora-shooting-suspect-used-evidence-bags-as-hand-puppets-sources-say#ixzz21YrzVQtD

Read more: http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/national/james-holmes-aurora-shooting-suspect-used-evidence-bags-as-hand-puppets-sources-say#ixzz21YrqcygM

DC Comics
Postponing Batman Comic
Over 'Dark Knight' Shooting
DC Comics is forbidding comic book retailers from selling the upcoming issue of a Batman comic book ... because it "contains content that may be perceived as insensitive" in the wake of the "Dark Knight" shooting in Colorado.

TMZ obtained an email DC sent comic book retailers last night asking them to HOLD the new issue of "Batman Inc." -- a fairly new comic book line featuring the Caped Crusader.

In the email, DC explains ... "Out of respect for the victims and families in Aurora, Colorado DC Entertainment has made the decision to postpone the release of BATMAN INCORPORATED #3 for one month because the comic contains content that may be perceived as insensitive in light of recent events." ::snipping2::

http://www.tmz.com/2012/07/24/dc-comics-batman-dark-knight-rises-shooting-batman-inc/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/23/james-holmes-family_n_1695585.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

Family Of James Holmes, Colorado Shooting Suspect, Makes A Statement (VIDEO, UPDATED)

AP  |  Posted: 07/23/2012 1:55 pm Updated: 07/23/2012 7:17 pm

 ::snipping2::

This is Arlene Holmes' statement, based on the video from NBC San Diego (above):

    This statement is to clarify a statement made by ABC media. I was awakened by a call from a reporter from ABC on July 20, about 5:45 in the morning. I did not know anything about a shooting in Aurora at that time. He asked if I was Arlene Holmes and if my son was James Holmes, who lives in Aurora, Colorado. I answered, "Yes, you have the right person."

    I was referring to myself. I asked him to tell me why he was calling and he told me about a shooting in Aurora. He asked for a comment. I told him I could not comment because I did not know if the person he was talking about was my son.

 ::snipping2::

http://www.huffingtonpost.com////james-holmes-defense-prosecution_n_1699210.html?ncid=webmail1

James Holmes Conviction No 'Slam Dunk' For Prosecutors

Posted: 07/24/2012 3:44 pm Updated: 07/24/2012 3:55 pm

 James Holmes Conviction No 'Slam Dunk' For Prosecutors

The prosecutor in the case of James Holmes, suspected in the shooting deaths of 12 moviegoers in Colorado, said Monday that the prosecution has an "enormous amount of evidence," but that she would not call it a "slam dunk."

"There is no such thing as a slam dunk case ... we would never presume that it would be a slam dunk. We will work very hard on this case to prosecute it," Arapahoe County District Attorney Carol Chambers said.

Holmes -- who faces the possibility of life in prison or the death penalty for allegedly carrying out one of the most deadly mass murders in U.S. history -- might have to plead insanity, according to veteran Seattle attorney and legal analyst Anne Bremner.

"The insanity defense appears to be the only option," Bremner told The Huffington Post. "We don't hold those who don't have the requisite criminal intent criminally accountable."

 ::snipping2::

(http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1121177.1343174332!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/index_635_390/390-christian-bale-2.jpg)


'Dark Knight Rises' star Christian Bale visits victims of Aurora theater massacre

The actor went to the site of the tragedy to pay his condolences as an individual, according to reports

By Michael Walsh / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Tuesday, July 24, 2012, 5:27 PM


(http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1121141.1343170641!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_635/bale1.jpg)
Actor Christian Bale meets with victims and staff members at the Swedish Medical Center in Colorado.

Christian Bale, star of "The Dark Knight" trilogy, visited victims of the movie theater massacre in Aurora, Colo. on Tuesday, Warner Bros. confirmed to the Denver Post.

Bale went to Aurora to offer his condolences as an individual rather than as a spokesperson for the production company.

"Mr. Bale is there as himself, not representing Warner Brothers," said an assistant to Susan Fleishman, the executive vice president for corporate communications at Warner Bros.

Following the tragedy at a midnight showing of “The Dark Knight Rises” in Aurora, internet campaigns emerged asking Bale to visit the town. A young woman named Emily Sanchez posted a request to one such Facebook campaign that went viral, reports the Chicago Sun-Times.

(http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1121178!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_635/bale-1.jpg)
Actor Christian Bale visits the memorial across the street from the Century 16 movie theater July 24, 2012 in Aurora, Colorado.

 ::snipping2::

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/christian-bale-visits-victims-massacre-aurora-colo-article-1.1121051#ixzz21bAZba7W

(http://www.nypost.com/rw/nypost/2012/07/24/news/web_photos/batvisit212026--480x180.jpg)

'Batman' star Christian Bale visits Colorado shooting victims

POST STAFF REPORT
Last Updated: 9:21 PM, July 24, 2012
Posted: 10:04 AM, July 24, 2012

(http://www.nypost.com/r/nypost/2012/07/24/news/web_photos/120724M4181451--525x415.jpg)

AURORA, Colo. -- Batman star Christian Bale visited survivors of the Colorado theater shooting Tuesday, and thanked medical staff and police officers who responded to the attack that killed 12 people and injured 58 others.

Bale visited with little advance warning and also stopped by a makeshift memorial to victims near the movie theater that was showing "The Dark Knight Rises" when the gunfire erupted.

Carey Rottman, one of those injured in Friday's shooting, posted two photos of himself with Bale on his Facebook page.

Janie Bowman-Hayes, assistant vice president of surgical services at sister hospital Swedish Medical Center, said she and co-workers were attending a luncheon at The Medical Center of Aurora to thank staff who tended to victims. "When we got there, then we found out he was there," she said.

Bale, humble and dressed casually in a black T-shirt and jeans, thanked the staff, shook hands and agreed to have his photo taken with employees, Bowman-Hayes said.

"He just said he wanted to come to thank all of us because he has been thinking about this. He knows the whole world has been thinking about this," she said. "He took it upon himself to come and thank us."

 ::snipping2::

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/colo_massacre_witness_plans_lawsuit_UfuLh0PHaYUJQyZddU8J6J#ixzz21bC1o5cD

That was super nice. 

 ::rhino::

EXCLUSIVE: Movie massacre suspect sent chilling notebook to psychiatrist before attack

By Jana Winter

Published July 25, 2012

FoxNews.com


Carnage in Colorado: Dazed gunman appears in court

Three days after he allegedly shot up a Colorado movie theater, killing 12 and injuring scores, suspect James Holmes appeared in court, where he seemed disheveled and disoriented.

AURORA, Colo. – James Holmes, the accused gunman in last Friday's midnight movie massacre in Colorado, mailed a notebook "full of details about how he was going to kill people" to a University of Colorado psychiatrist before the attack, but the parcel sat unopened in a mailroom for as long as a week before its discovery Monday, a law enforcement source told FoxNews.com.  ::snipping2::


“There were drawings of what he was going to do in it--drawings and illustrations of the massacre." ::snipping2::

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/07/25/exclusive-movie-massacre-suspect-laid-out-plans-in-package-mailed-to/#ixzz21eamHXJ6

It is summer.  Summer sessions at college campuses are lighter with fewer people working.  It could be that the mailroom has fewer staff members or that the professor was simply away for a week.  I don't see some be security failure here.  I'm sure some ambulance chasing lawyer will.

http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/report-suspect-described-killings-1484750.html
9:56 a.m. Thursday, July 26, 2012
Report: Suspect described killings in package

A thought crossed my mind given the area that Holmes had an interest in.  Is it possible that he is experimenting with perceptions of criminal insanity? 

I'm just musing here........... and have NOTHING to base suspicions on, but, I was curious if anyone else had the same thoughts I did when I heard about the notebook.

My hinky meter went off just a little when I heard the psychiatrist called police to say that he had a package he thought might be from the shooter, and then the police checked the mail room to find the notebook. I just went "hmmmmm". That story was early in the reporting and may have been in error.

Big IF here, but I would simply say that IF the psychiatrist had received that notebook and did nothing to report it prior to the shootings, his liability could be HUGE.

BTW, the university issued a statement that the package had not been in the mailroom since the 12th. Let me get some links here........ BRB!

OK, here we go!

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/07/25/packaged-warning-psychiatrist-protocol-when-receiving-threats-from-patients/

It this a different package from this one?

Suspicious Package Reported At Anshutz Medical Campus
Package Found By Old Army Hospital
Posted by: Thomas Hendrick, New Media Producer

POSTED: 10:43 am MDT July 23, 2012
UPDATED: 12:17 pm MDT July 23, 2012


DENVER -- Authorities were called to the University of Colorado Anschutz medical campus Monday morning after a report of a suspicious package.

The Anschutz medical campus is on heightened alert after it was revealed that the man accused of killing 12 people in an Aurora movie theater attended the University of Colorado at Denver and was studying at the medical campus.

The university plans to hold a news conference at 1:30 p.m. to talk about Holmes attendance at CU. ::snipping2::

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/31295646/detail.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/27/james-holmes-amnesia_n_1709573.html?icid=maing-grid7|main5|dl1|sec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D184789

James Holmes Claims Amnesia: Alleged 'Dark Knight' Shooter Wonders Why He's Arrested

The Huffington Post  |  By Michael McLaughlin Posted: 07/27/2012 9:55 am Updated: 07/27/2012 11:03 am


James Holmes, the suspected shooter in last week's movie theater massacre, has told his Colorado jailers he doesn't know why he's locked behind bars, the Daily News reports.

But no one at the Arapahoe County Detention Center is buying Holmes' story, a lockup worker told the News. The jailers who come in contact with Holmes, who is sequestered from other inmates, believe he's faking amnesia.

 ::snipping2::

Colorado shooting suspect was a psychiatric patient
By the CNN Wire Staff
updated 4:01 PM EDT, Fri July 27, 2012

(CNN) -- Colorado shooting suspect James Holmes was a patient of a University of Colorado psychiatrist before last week's attack at a movie theater that killed 12 people and wounded scores, according to a court document filed Friday by his public lawyers.

The disclosure was in a request by Holmes for authorities to immediately hand over a package he sent to Dr. Lynne Fenton at the university's Anschutz Medical Campus.  ::snipping2::

http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/27/justice/colorado-theater-shooting/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

Edit to update subject line.  MB

so JH wants the book back why,to refresh/relive  ::MonkeyEek::

(sarcasm alert)  Oh my! I'm soooooo surprised! I'm really beginning to wonder if my hinky meter isn't very reliable in this case.

IMO that SOB just wants the notebook back so he can re-live the "glory" of his actions, cw618. I agree with you! He'd like nothing better than to muse that notebook, while the victims families are burying their loved ones.   ::MonkeyMad::

http://www.freep.com/article/20120728/NEWS07/307280040/New-revelation-Psychiatrist-was-treating-Colo-shooting-suspect
New revelation: Psychiatrist was treating Colo. shooting suspect
July 28, 2012

DENVER -- The former graduate student accused in the deadly Colorado movie theater shooting was being treated by a psychiatrist at the university where he studied, a revelation that adds to suspicions that his life was in turmoil in the year before the rampage.

Attorneys for James Holmes, 24, made the disclosure in a court motion Friday as they sought to discover the source of leaks to news media outlets that he sent the psychiatrist a package containing a notebook with descriptions of an attack.

The motion said the leak jeopardized Holmes' right to a fair trial and violated a judge's gag order.

The lawyers added that the package contained communications between Holmes and his psychiatrist that should be shielded from public view. The document describes Holmes as a "psychiatric patient" of Dr. Lynne Fenton.

The motion did not reveal when Holmes began seeing Fenton or whether he was being treated for a mental illness. Legal analysts said they expect Holmes' attorneys to use an insanity defense at trial. Holmes is to be arraigned Monday.
More...

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-holmes-doctor-20120728,0,5513197.story
Doctor of Colorado suspect had been disciplined by medical board
July 28, 2012

AURORA, Colo. -- Dr. Lynne Fenton, the University of Colorado psychiatrist who was treating James E. Holmes, according to a court filing by his attorneys, was been disciplined by the Colorado Medical Board in 2005.

State records show Fenton was reprimanded by the Colorado Board of Medical Examiners, received a letter of admonition and was required to take a documentation course. Records detailing the discipline were not immediately available Saturday. Neither Fenton nor Colorado medical board staff could be reached for comment Saturday.

A University of Colorado spokeswoman said she could not comment on personnel matters, but noted that the discipline would have predated Fenton's tenure at the university. Fenton completed a residency in psychiatry at the university in 2008 before becoming an assistant professor and medical director of the student mental health service at the university's Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora.
More...

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/ohio-texas-funerals-set-colo-victims-16875995
Colo. Victims Mourned at Funerals in 3 States
July 28, 2012

Very sad news.   

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/woman-injured-shooting-miscarries-16879534
Woman Seriously Injured in CO Shooting Miscarries
July 29, 2012

A woman who was critically wounded in the Colorado theater shooting that left dead her 6-year-old daughter has suffered a miscarriage.
 ::snipping2::
The family of Ashley Moser said in a statement Saturday that she is recovering from surgery but that the trauma caused the miscarriage.
Moser's daughter, Veronica Moser-Sullivan, was the youngest person killed in the attack at a midnight showing of the new Batman movie in Aurora, Colo., more than a week ago.

Moser suffered gunshot wounds to her neck and abdomen. A family member has said they hadn't told her about Veronica's death.
 ::snipping2::

I had just come here to post that, Muffy. My God, what that poor woman has been through. She and her loved ones are in my prayers.

http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/national/colorado-movie-theater-shooting-suspect-appears-in-court-charged-with-24-counts-of-murder

video at link and 2 pgs
Colorado movie theater shooting suspect appears in court, charged with 24 counts of murder
Posted: 12:29 PM
Last Updated: 58 minutes ago
By: NICHOLAS RICCARDI and P. SOLOMON BANDA Associated Press
 ::snipping2::
CENTENNIAL, Colo. - Colorado prosecutors on Monday charged a former neuroscience graduate student with 24 counts of murder and 116 counts of attempted murder in the shooting rampage at the midnight showing of the new Batman movie.
James Holmes appeared just as dazed as he did in his first court appearance last week, but at one point exchanged a few words with one of his attorneys in the packed courtroom.

Investigators said Holmes began stockpiling gear for his assault four months ago and bought his weapons in May and June, well before the shooting spree just after midnight during a showing of the Batman film "The Dark Knight Rises." He was arrested by police outside the theater
 ::snipping2::
Experts said there are two levels of insanity defenses.

Holmes' public defenders could argue he is not mentally competent to stand trial, which is the argument by lawyers for Jared Loughner, who is accused of killing six people in 2011 in Tucson, Ariz., and wounding several others, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Loughner, who has pleaded not guilty to 49 charges, has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and is undergoing treatment at a Missouri prison facility in a bid to make him mentally fit to stand trial.

more at link

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57482458/family-member-says-colo-shooting-victim-will-be-paralyzed-suffered-miscarriage/
Family member says Colo. shooting victim will be paralyzed, suffered miscarriage
July 30, 2012

(CBS News) CENTENNIAL, Colo. - Ashley Moser, a victim of the Colorado movie theater shootings who lost her six-year-old daughter, has suffered a miscarriage and will be paralyzed because of her injuries, according to her family.

MaryEllen Hansen told CBS News that her niece will be paralyzed from the waist down, but the family hoped she would keep the full use of her arms.Hansen told the Associated Press that the funeral for Moser's daughter, Veronica Moser-Sullivan, has been delayed until her mother is well enough to attend, and no date has been set.

 ::snipping2::

Photos at Link

This poor woman.  How much more can she endure?

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/08/02/psychiatrist-warning-about-holmes-ignored-when-dropped-out/
Psychiatrist's warning about Holmes ignored when he dropped out
 
Published August 02, 2012
 ::snipping2::

Maybe she should have said other people might be in danger not he could be in danger..
IMO they may not have done anything anyway  ::MonkeyNoNo::

James Holmes' Psychiatrist Contacted University Police Weeks Before Movie-Theater Shooting:
ABC Exclusive
Aug 7 2012

The psychiatrist who treated suspected movie-theater shooter James Holmes made contact with a University of Colorado police officer to express concerns about her patient's behavior several weeks before Holmes' alleged rampage, sources told ABC News.

The sources did not know what the officer approached by Dr. Lynne Fenton did with the information she passed along. They said, however, that the officer was recently interviewed, with an attorney present, by the Aurora Police Department as a part of the ongoing investigation of the shooting.

Fenton would have had to have serious concerns to break confidentiality with her patient to reach out to the police officer or others, the sources said. Under Colorado law, a psychiatrist can legally breach a pledge of confidentiality with a patient if he or she becomes aware of a serious and imminent threat that their patient might cause harm to others. Psychiatrists can also breach confidentiality if a court has ordered them to do so.

"For any physician to break doctor-patient confidentiality there would have to be an extremely good reason," said Dr. Carol Bernstein, a psychiatrist at NYU Langone Medical Center and past president of the American Psychiatric Association. ::snipping2::

http://gma.yahoo.com/james-holmes-psychiatrist-contacted-university-police-weeks-movie-005231424--abc-news-topstories.html

http://www.austin360.com/music/kiss-motley-crue-give-to-theater-shooting-victims-2432365.html?cxtype=rss_movies_96477
Kiss, Motley Crue give to theater shooting victims
August 10, 2012

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Motley Crue and Kiss are donating money to support those affected by the Colorado movie theater shootings.

The bands said at their concert in suburban Denver on Wednesday night that they would donate $100,000 to the Aurora Victim Relief Fund.
 ::snipping2::

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/13/us-usa-shooting-denver-idUSBRE87C0GE20120813
Judge keeps key documents sealed in Colorado shooting case
August 13, 2012

(Reuters) - A Colorado judge on Monday ordered that the bulk of key documents detailing the case against accused movie theater gunman James Holmes remain sealed, largely rejecting a request by news organizations to lift the so-called gag order.

Arapahoe County District Judge William Sylvester did allow for the release of 34 documents, mostly relating to media motions and procedural issues.

But he ordered that the documents media members most wanted to see - affidavits of probable cause, subpoenas, arrest warrants, search warrants, and requests for or court orders for production of records - all be kept under seal.

Prosecutors have charged Holmes with 24 counts of first degree murder and 116 counts of attempted murder in the July shootings at a midnight screening of the Batman film "The Dark Knight Rises" in Aurora, Colorado. Twelve people were killed and 58 were wounded.
More...

http://www.chron.com/news/article/Holmes-doesn-t-react-to-talk-of-struggling-victims-3792291.php
Holmes doesn't react to talk of struggling victims
August 16, 2012

(http://ww4.hdnux.com/photos/14/56/60/3337271/3/628x471.jpg)
FILE - In this July 23, 2012 file photo, James E. Holmes appears in Arapahoe County District Court in Centennial, Colo. Holmes attended a brief procedural hearing in his case on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012 in which the prosecution sought the judge's permission to release contact information for the victims to a charity that's raised $4 million for victims. Photo: Denver Post, RJ Sangosti, Pool / AP

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (AP) — The suspect in the Aurora movie shooting showed no emotion in court Thursday as a lawyer discussed a charity's efforts to distributed $4 million it raised for the victims.

James Holmes attended the brief procedural hearing in which the prosecution sought the judge's permission to release contact information on the 12 people killed and 58 injured. The group Giving First raised the money, but another nonprofit would give it out. Most documents in the case have been sealed, so even that step required Judge William Sylvester's approval.

"People have been incapacitated or lost family members and are in dire financial straits," prosecutor Rich Orman said.

Holmes was wide-eyed but didn't show any reaction. He mostly looked ahead but glanced at Orman a few times.
More...

http://**/investigations/ci_21314240/aurora-theater-shooting-costs-police-lawyers-already-soaring
Aurora theater shooting: Costs for police, lawyers already soaring
August 16, 2012

AURORA —  Police spent nearly 26 percent of the year's law enforcement budget for overtime pay in responding to the July 20 mass shooting in a movie theater.

The city so far has spent $462,600 on overtime costs for police officers and civilian employees following the midnight movie killings at the Century Aurora 16 theater and has applied for a federal grant to help cover the costs. The costs include investigators and responders on the morning of the shooting, security at a large vigil held later and protection for visiting dignitaries.

On average, Aurora spends $1.8 million a year on police overtime. Fire department overtime totals have not yet been released.
More...

http://www.wftv.com/ap/ap/top-news/casey-anthony-lawyer-retained-in-theater-shootings/nRF4x/
Casey Anthony lawyer retained in theater shootings
August 20, 2012

DENVER —

An attorney who represented Casey Anthony, the Florida woman acquitted in the murder of her 2-year-old daughter Caylee last year, has been retained by the mother of one of the victims of last month's theater shooting in Aurora.

Publicist Michael Wright said Monday that Jose Baez is investigating a possible civil lawsuit over responsibility for the shootings, including security measures at the theater. Baez is representing Shirley Wygal, mother of Rebecca Wingo, who died in the shootings.

A spokesman for the theater did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
 ::snipping2::

I understand (at some level because I cannot truly understand) her anger and sorrow...however...suing the theater is not right.  How on earth were they suppose to know that this would happen...or that this needed to be prevented. This is not something that happens. Are we going to have to go through security to go and watch a movie?  No.  Are we suppose to have our bags or purses checked prior to getting into a theater?  No. The issue lies with many people.  Society is not educated on mental illness and still allows a stigma to be attached. Families are not educated on what to look for or they ignore the signs and just call them "crazy."  Doctors are so overbooked that they do not spend enough time with each patient and simply prescribe some medication in hopes that they will return for follow up visits and often times they do not (that is part of the disease, thinking they don't need medication). And so on...going around suing people IS NOT THE SOLUTION!  Forcing the higher ups to take mental illness more seriously...forcing insurance companies to take mental illness more seriously...educating society on mental illness...and treating it like any other disease (because it is...it is a cancer...it is diabetes...it can kill too) THAT IS THE SOLUTION! So big headed Baez you do NOT need to take advantage of these grieving families...you need to tell them YES there is a problem...so let's fix it...you CAN be a TOOL...you can be a part of the SOLUTION! 

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57499275/james-holmes-school-records-focus-of-hearing/
James Holmes' school records focus of hearing
August 23, 2012

CBS/AP) DENVER - A judge will hear arguments Thursday about whether the Colorado theater shooting suspect's university records can be turned over to prosecutors.

James Holmes, a former neuroscience doctoral candidate at the University of Colorado, is expected to attend the hearing. Prosecutors are seeking copies of 100 pages of non-medical education records subpoenaed by prosecutors and turned over last week by the school to Arapahoe County District Judge William Sylvester. Defense attorneys are seeking to suppress the subpoena and have asked that nobody, even Sylvester, examine the documents.

Holmes is accused of killing 12 people and wounding 58 others in a July 20 shooting at an Aurora theater.

Defense attorney Tamara Brady's legal reasoning about why Holmes' educational records should be off limits is unavailable. That portion of the court file remains sealed.

Prosecutors said in court that they need the documents to gain access to a notebook reportedly containing violent descriptions of an attack. The notebook reportedly was in a package sent to CU psychiatrist Lynne Fenton.
More...

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57499410/prosecutors-holmes-was-banned-from-university/
Prosecutors: Holmes was banned from university
August 23, 2012

(CBS/AP) DENVER - Prosecutors say the suspect in the Colorado theater shooting made threats and was banned from the University of Colorado after failing a key exam six weeks before the rampage.

They made the accusations about James Holmes in court Thursday as they tried to convince a judge to let them see records from the university, where Holmes had been a neuroscience doctoral candidate.

They also claim professors had urged Holmes to get into another line of work before the shooting. Attorney Karen Pearson didn't disclose where their information came from.

Defense lawyer Daniel King objected to the release of the records, calling the prosecution's request a "fishing expedition."

Defense attorney Tamara Brady's legal reasoning about why Holmes' educational records should be off limits is unavailable. That portion of the court file remains sealed.

Holmes is accused of killing 12 people and wounding 58 others in a July 20 shooting at an Aurora theater.

Prosecutors are seeking copies of 100 pages of non-medical education records subpoenaed by prosecutors and turned over last week by the school to Arapahoe County District Judge William Sylvester

They say they need the documents to gain access to a notebook reportedly containing violent description of an attack. The notebook reportedly was in a package sent to CU psychiatrist Lynne Fenton.
More...

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/attorneys-argue-release-holmes-records-17063097#.UDbsOqDBnIU
School: Background Check Was Run Before Shootings
August 23, 2012

 The former graduate student accused in a deadly mass shooting at a movie theater had failed a key exam six weeks before the rampage, made threats and was banned from his college, prosecutors said Thursday.

University of Colorado Denver spokeswoman Jacque Montgomery later disputed that James Holmes was banned from campus but confirmed that a criminal background check was done on him before the July 20 attack.

She said a court gag order prevented her from discussing who requested the check, who performed it, and who saw the results.

It's the first explicit confirmation from the university that concerns had been raised about Holmes at the school before the shooting. University officials did not elaborate about why they conducted the background check.

Montgomery did say that campus Police Chief Doug Abraham was referring to that background check when he said at a July 23 news conference that Holmes had only a minor infraction on his record.

She said Holmes' access to restricted areas on campus was canceled because he left his program in June, not because of threats.

More... (2 pgs)

http://www.chron.com/news/article/Families-of-theater-victims-plan-public-statement-3817934.php
Families of theater victims plan public statement
August 27, 2012

AURORA, Colo. (AP) — Relatives of some of the people killed in the Colorado theater shootings plan to hold a news conference to talk about unspecified events they say need to be addressed.

A news release says the families will speak Tuesday about some behind-the-scenes events that they believe need to be discussed. Group spokeswoman Anita Busch declined to elaborate.
 ::snipping2::

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1208/24/ijvm.01.html
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL

Missing Teen Girl Found Alive; Man Shoots Former Co-Worker in Midtown Manhattan

Aired August 24, 2012 - 19:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


UNIDENTIFIED MALE: JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL starts right now
 ::snipping2::
Plus, were giant red flags, warnings signs ignored in the case of movie theater massacre suspect James Holmes? Prosecutors are now saying that before the shootings, the 24-year-old made threats, threats so serious campus police had to step in. Were warning signs ignored, and if so why?
 ::snipping2::
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There were reportedly warning signs Colorado massacre suspect James Holmes might turn violent. This happened before he allegedly went on a deadly rampage at the movie theater.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. We got rifles, gas masks near the theater. Now we`ve got an open door going into the theater.

Hold that position. Hold your suspect.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We`ve got seven down in theater nine. Seven down.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The psychiatrist treating James Holmes, the accused Colorado gunman, told her colleagues that Holmes could be a danger to others.

Something that he said to his psychiatrist caused her to contact the University of Colorado threat assessment team.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: There was no reaction at all as the judge announced that he had -- 42 criminal counts had been filed against him.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A hundred and forty-two counts, including first- degree murder.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What`s happening?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Somebody is shooting in the auditorium.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It is every child`s worst nightmare.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I need rescue.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Being in the dark and you have the bad guy come out to get you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Tonight in just-released court documents, prosecutors say the theater shooting defendant, James Holmes, talked to a classmate about wanting to kill people. This is breaking news, just in.

We`ve also learned that Holmes made threats against the University of Colorado, Denver, a month before he allegedly opened fire inside that movie theater, killing 12 people, injuring so many more.

This is old video of James Holmes in court. But we can tell you in court yesterday, he looked quite similar. He still had that shock of red hair.

Prosecutors say Holmes wasn`t crazy, just angry that he was failing out of school when he allegedly committed the mass shooting.

Now defense attorneys and prosecutors are fighting over who should get access to Holmes` school records and documents.

Holmes accused of opening fire July 20 during a midnight premiere of the latest "Batman" movie. Twelve people killed, 58 injured, like this woman and her child.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There was the moment where the shooting stopped, and I saw people running. And at that moment, I grabbed the baby, and I just drug -- I just grabbed my daughter and just got her out as fast as I could and just ran out. I didn`t turn around. I didn`t look behind me. I just got out.

And then there was a moment when my daughter tripped. And I just pulled her up, and I was just dragging her. And I was just thinking we just got to get out. I just got to get out the door, and even if I just full dead just get my kids out of here.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: So many lives devastated, shattered, lost.

"The Denver Post" reporting the very same day James Holmes failed a crucial oral exam, he bought an assault-style rifle. And during the very same month, Holmes was told that he perhaps wasn`t cut out for a career in neuroscience. He was allegedly at the time stockpiling explosives.

Straight out to CNN correspondent Kyung Lah.

Kyung, so many new court documents. Tell us what -- put it in perspective. Because we`re getting a slew of new, what I would call red flags.

KYUNG LAH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. Red flags certainly what we`re starting to see as this information begins to trickle out. Here`s another little trickle of it, Jane.

This is a document that we ourselves just got a hold of a couple hours ago. And what the prosecution is writing in this particular court document is the defendant had conversations with a classmate about wanting to kill people, not just before the shooting but back in March. And the document goes on to say that he would do so when his life was over. And this also says that he was denied access to the school after June 12th, after he made threats to a professor at the school.

So what we`re starting to see through this trickle of information that we`re getting out of the courts now is that there is more of a direct line -- at least that`s what the prosecution is trying to do -- a direct line between what happened at the university, his academic failings and the shooting that happened at that movie theater, Jane.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: And so many red flags. I mean June 7th he fails an oral exam and then just over a month later this shooting. But in between that time, my gosh, so much happening that we`re now learning through court documents that should have been a red flag to somebody.

LAH: That`s the point --

(CROSSTALK)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Now, prosecutors say James Holmes was banned, as you just said, from the University of Colorado Denver six weeks before the shooting. Here`s what the school has said about all this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARRY SHUR, DEAN AT UC-DENVER: My understanding is his prelim examinations were around June 7th or so and he withdrew June 10th. He initiated the paperwork on June 10th. And I may be speaking out of line but it`s my understanding that he has not been back on campus or in the program since that time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Prosecutors say Holmes was banned after making threats and that his key card granting him access to the medical campus was deactivated. But the school denies that they banned Holmes from the campus entirely. They do admit doing a criminal background check on him before this massacre.

You know, there`s so many things that practically shout from the rooftop. And I`ll put this out to Seth Meyer, Dr. Seth Meyer, clinical psychologist, that there was a problem here. And in fact, the threat assessment team -- he had been seeking professional help from three mental health professionals. And the psychiatrist who was treating him, you know, she contacted members of the threat assessment team and said, "Hey, we got to do something."

But nothing seemed to get off the ground in terms of an actual intervention.

DR. SETH MEYER, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST: Right. Well, the problem is we really need to know more about what happened. We really need to see the documents around what happened when the threat assessment team evaluated him. Because the truth is, he could have said to his psychiatrist "I`m going to go blow up the university", but then when the threat assessment team shows up, all of a sudden he says, "You know what, actually, I don`t mean that. I don`t want to do that. It`s ok. I`ve calmed down. Now I don`t mean that. I didn`t mean what I said."

And so the threat assessment team would have to say, "Ok, let`s let him go. He`s clear." So you know --

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Seth, Seth, Seth. I got to jump in here because I want to go back to Kyung Lah. My understanding is the threat assessment team never got that far. That the threat assessment team, to my knowledge, wasn`t sitting around doing long interviews with him. They didn`t even -- correct me if I`m wrong here -- but they didn`t actually meet, right?

LAH: The information that we have so far that we`ve been able to learn out of the information, out of court or through press publications in that area is that, yes, they did not. But it could change as more information comes out.

Remember, we`re operating under a cloak of secrecy here because of this very wide gag order. So the information that we have gleaned is, yes, they did not get to that point yet.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Yes. T.J. Ward, private investigator, it`s easy for us to play Monday morning quarterback. But when you are in these kind of situations real-time, there`s also so many push backs in terms of privacy, in terms of thresholds that have to be reached before people can actually, you know, call 911.

Do you think maybe we need to lower those thresholds that if a psychiatrist has a gut feeling and there`s been threats and that it appears he`s been talking about killing people that you can actually call the cops and say get this guy locked up?

T.J. WARD, PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR: Jane, you need -- the companies, corporations, schools, all need to take these threats seriously. I can tell you now with the workplace violence and they just need to take it more seriously. They have teams now when there`s employees that are problems and people at school too. This is not the first incident from a school that there`s been a terrorist that went loose when somebody has psychological issues.

They need to communicate with law enforcement and these teams in order and take this very serious. These people are for real. This is not the first time this has happened at a school from somebody that went to a school. We had this in Virginia where a guy had gone off a deep end and they knew about -- that there was evidence and realistic things there that they really need to take serious and take a good look at these things.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Yes. You know, somebody might say, yes, "I could kill him" as a figure of speech. Clearly that`s not what was happening in this case. So it`s a cautionary tale. It really is.

Thank you, panel.
 ::snipping2::

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/08/30/justice/colorado-shooting/index.html
James Holmes called university 9 minutes before shooting, attorney says
August 31, 2012

(CNN) -- James Holmes called a University of Colorado switchboard nine minutes before he allegedly opened fire at movieplex in a Denver suburb on July 20, public defender Tamara Brady said in court Thursday.

The number can be used to get in contact with faculty members during off hours, she said.
 ::snipping2::
Dr. Lynne Fenton, his psychiatrist, testified that her contact with Holmes ended on June 11, and that she later contacted campus police because she was "so concerned" about what happened during that last meeting, though she declined to elaborate

Officials said Holmes mailed a notebook to her before the shooting, though it's not clear whether its contents will be considered admissible in court.

Fenton testified that Holmes' defense team contacted her after the shooting and asked that she send the notebook back to Holmes via them.

In 2011, the University of Iowa rejected Holmes' graduate application, with one official saying "Do NOT offer admissions under any circumstances," according to documents obtained by CNN.

A second university official agreed not to make the recommendation for Holmes' admittance.

The suspected gunman was a doctoral candidate studying neuroscience at the University of Colorado's Anschutz campus in Aurora. But he was "denied access to the school after June 12, 2012, after he made threats to a professor," according to court documents.

Subsequently, Holmes "started the process to voluntarily withdraw from his graduate studies program."

The University of Colorado said this month that it hired a former U.S. attorney to conduct an independent review into how the school handled Holmes.
 ::snipping2::

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/defense-aurora-shooting-suspect-call-psychiatrist-minutes-rampage-article-1.1148426
Defense says Aurora shooting suspect tried to call psychiatrist minutes before rampage
The detail about James Holmes’ call came out during a hearing about his relationship with a university therapist, to whom he mailed a package containing a notebook that reportedly contained violent descriptions of the Colorado attack.
August 30, 2012

 DENVER — The suspect in the Colorado shooting tried unsuccessfully to call his university psychiatrist nine minutes before he opened fire during a Batman movie premiere, defense attorneys revealed in court Thursday.

James Holmes placed the call to an after-hours number at a hospital at the University of Colorado, Anschutz campus, where he could reach psychiatrist Lynne Fenton, defense attorney Tamara Brady said.

It wasn't clear why he called Fenton, and she wasn't immediately available to talk to him. Holmes is accused in the July 20 shooting that left 12 people dead and 58 wounded.

The detail about the call came out during a hearing about Holmes' relationship with Fenton, to whom he mailed a package containing a notebook that reportedly contained violent descriptions of an attack.
More...

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120830/NEWS01/308300040/Psychiatrist-says-she-met-movie-theater-shooting-suspect-once?odyssey=nav|head
Psychiatrist says she met with movie theater shooting suspect once
August 30, 2012

CENTENNIAL — The University of Colorado psychiatrist who treated James Holmes testified Thursday that she met with the mass murder suspect only once and that her doctor-patient relationship is limited to that meeting.

Lynne Fenton’s testimony came at a hearing to determine whether Arapahoe County prosecutors and Holmes’ legal defense team can examine a notebook Holmes sent to Fenton. Arapahoe County District Judge William Sylvester is considering whether prosecutors can use the notebook in the trial.

Holmes is accused of multiple counts of murder in the shootings July 20 that left 12 people dead and 57 wounded at an Aurora movie theater.

It’s unclear how the ruling will affect the case against Holmes, 24, a doctoral program dropout. The notebook was sent July 19 and recovered by police July 23. Prosecutors had argued they should be allowed to review it as part of their investigation, while Holmes’ defense team said it was inadmissible and protected by doctor-patient privacy laws.

Fenton testified that she felt her professional relationship with Holmes ended June 11. She said she reported concerns to campus police. She said she did not see or talk to Holmes from June 11 to July 19.
More...

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/08/31/prosecution-suffers-setback-in-obtaining-notebook/
Prosecution suffers setback in obtaining notebook
August 31, 2012

CENTENNIAL, Colo. –  Prosecutors in the Colorado shooting rampage case suffered a setback in obtaining a notebook belonging to the suspect that reportedly contains a violent description of the attack.

The setback came when a judge ruled Thursday that prosecutors couldn't disprove a doctor-patient relationship between theater shooting suspect James Holmes and a University of Colorado psychiatrist.

Now the question is whether James Holmes, 24, sent the notebook to Dr. Lynne Fenton for use in therapy or treatment. Prosecutors at a hearing Thursday argued that the notebook wasn't meant to be used for those purposes because Holmes wasn't going to be around.
More...

http://www.chron.com/news/article/Last-theater-shooting-victim-leaves-Colo-hospital-3860752.php
Last theater shooting victim leaves Colo. hospital
September 12, 2012

AURORA, Colo. (AP) — The final patient remaining in the hospital after being wounded during the mass shooting at a suburban Denver movie theater has left the hospital.

The University of Colorado Hospital released a statement saying Caleb Medley was discharged Wednesday and will be going to a long-term care facility. The hospital did not disclose any further information on his condition, citing privacy laws.
 ::snipping2::

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Man-charged-in-Colorado-theater-massacre-applied-3867080.php
Man charged in Colorado theater massacre applied at Texas A&M
September 14, 2012

he suspect in the deadly Colorado theater shootings could have become an Aggie.

James Holmes, 24, who is accused of turning a midnight premiere of the "Dark Knight Rises" movie into a massacre, killing a dozen people and wounding 58 in July, withdrew his application to the Texas A&M University neuroscience graduate program last year.

He was among a short list of candidates who had been contacted for in-person interviews, but didn't travel to College Station, according to documents about his application released Friday by the university.

Holmes remains in a Colorado jail.
More...

Comments

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sns-rt-usa-shootingdenverl1e8kjjnv-20120919,0,7388401.story
Ten new charges sought against accused Colorado gunman -report
September 19, 2012

DENVER, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Prosecutors have filed a motion
to add 10 new charges against accused Colorado gunman James
Holmes, arrested following the July movie theater shootings that
killed 12 people, and have asked to amend 17 others, the Denver
Post reported on Wednesday.

The judge in the case has ordered nearly all court filings
be sealed, and it was not clear what the additional charges were
from a register of court actions, the Denver Post reported.
 ::snipping2::

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/09/20/prosecutors-to-argue-for-access-to-holmes-notebook-in-colorado-shooting-case/
Prosecutors to argue for access to Holmes' notebook in Colorado shooting case
September 20, 2012

DENVER –  The lead police investigator is expected to take the stand Thursday as prosecutors make their case for why they should have access to a notebook sent by the Colorado shooting suspect to a university psychiatrist that purportedly contains descriptions of a violent attack.

Prosecutors on Aug. 30 suffered a setback in obtaining the notebook when Arapahoe County District Judge William B. Sylvester ruled that they could not disprove a doctor-patient relationship between suspect James Holmes and University of Colorado psychiatrist Lynne Fenton.

Defense attorneys say Holmes is mentally ill and sought Fenton's help. Sylvester rejected prosecutor arguments that a doctor-patient relationship ended June 11, the last time Fenton saw Holmes. Holmes has been charged with 142 counts including murder and attempted murder stemming from the July 20 attack at an Aurora theater that killed 12 and wounded 58 others.

A court register of case actions indicated Wednesday that prosecutors are seeking now to add 10 more counts against Holmes and amend 17 others, but it didn't disclose details and a judge has issued a gag order limiting what information lawyers can publicly disclose in the case.

In their quest to obtain Holmes' notebook, prosecutors are arguing that it and its contents are fair game because Holmes wasn't to undergo therapy because he planned to be dead or in prison after the shootings rampage at an opening night showing of "The Dark Night Rises."

Chief Deputy District Attorney Karen Pearson didn't explain in court Aug. 30 why she believed Holmes could have planned to be dead, but she pointed to a dating site where Holmes asked if he would be visited in prison.

"He intended to be dead or in prison after this shooting," Pearson said last month.
More...

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57516933/colo-prosecutors-give-up-on-holmes-notebook/
Colo. prosecutors give up on Holmes notebook
September 20, 2012

CBS/AP) DENVER - Prosecutors are giving up their fight to see a notebook sent by the Colorado theater shooting suspect to a university psychiatrist.

Deputy District Attorney Rich Orman told a judge Thursday that even if prosecutors convince him the notebook isn't protected by doctor-patient privilege, that would likely be appealed.

Orman said prosecutors don't want to delay proceedings for James Holmes, who's charged with killing 12 people and wounding 58 at an Aurora movie theater July 20.
 ::snipping2::

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sns-rt-usa-shootingdenver-update-2l1e8klkks-20120921,0,5417702.story
UPDATE 2-First lawsuits filed against theater in Colorado shooting
September 21, 2012

(3 pgs)

DENVER, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Three Colorado moviegoers who
were wounded when a gunman opened fire at a July screening of
"The Dark Knight Rises" on Friday sued the owner of the theater,
Cinemark USA, accusing it of failing to provide adequate
security, their lawyers said.

The action marks the first known civil lawsuits filed over
the July 20 shootings at a suburban Denver screening of the
Batman movie that killed 12 people and wounded 58 others.

 ::snipping2::

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2012/09/21/colorado-theater-mass-shooting-reopen/70000887/1
Colo. mass-shooting theater to reopen around new year
September 21, 2012

The corporate owner of the Aurora, Colo., movie theater where 12 people were slain and 58 wounded in July said today it would refurbish and reopen the Century 16 around the new year. Hours later, three survivors of the attack sued the theater's owner, Cinemark.
More...

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/28/14138833-prosecutors-james-holmes-threatened-professor-before-theater-shooting?lite
Prosecutors: James Holmes threatened professor before theater shooting
September 28, 2012

The suspect in a deadly movie theater attack in Colorado threatened a professor before the shooting, leading the university to ban him from campus, prosecutors said in court documents released Friday.

The name of the person James Eagan Holmes threatened has been blacked out. Prosecutors say the person reported the threats, and Holmes was denied access to campus "as a result of these actions."

In other documents, defense attorneys say the prosecutor's allegations are false, based on university statements.

The University of Colorado has said Holmes was denied access to non-public parts of the campus because he had withdrawn from school.

Holmes, 24, faces 152 charges in the July 20 shooting at an Aurora movie theater during a midnight showing of the new Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." The attack killed 12 people and injured 58 others. After the shootings, police went to Holmes' apartment which was wired with a complex system of tripwires and explosive devices.

Defense attorneys claim Holmes is mentally ill, raising the possibility that Holmes will plead not guilty by reason of insanity.

In court, prosecutors have raised the prospect that Holmes was angry at the failure of a once promising academic career and stockpiled weapons, ammunition, tear gas grenades, and body armor as his research deteriorated and professors urged him to get into another profession.

After weeks of secrecy surrounding the case, most of the documents filed in court were released to the public on Friday.

In his order, Judge William Sylvester said that the release, with some restrictions, and considerable redaction, balances the public's First Amendment rights to see the court file, and attorneys' concerns. Prosecutors and defense attorneys had asked that court documents be sealed to preserve an ongoing investigation and protect Holmes' right to a fair trial.

Sylvester ordered that some information in the documents released Friday have information blacked out to protect the identities of witnesses. Documents that won't be released include an arrest affidavit, which contains information about the investigation, as well as requests for search warrants and subpoenas.
 ::snipping2::

See all available documents on the case
http://www.courts.state.co.us/Courts/District/Case_Details.cfm?Case_ID=152
12CR1522 The People of the State of Colorado v. James Holmes - documents from 07/20/2012 to 09/27/2012

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/10/james-holmes-attorneys-claim-feds-violated-gag-order/
James Holmes’ Attorneys Claim Gag Order Violated
October 3, 2012

The judge overseeing the Aurora, Colo., theater shooting case has agreed to hold a hearing over defense claims that the government has twice violated a gag order.

In the first motion filed Tuesday, public defenders for James Holmes argue that an updated mugshot  of Holmes-without the disheveled orange hair he appeared with the day he was arrested-was improperly leaked to the media by the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Department. It was released on September 20, the same day Holmes had gotten the new haircut.

During a midnight screening of “The Dark Knight Rises,” prosecutors say a heavily-armed Holmes entered the Century 16 movie theater and opened fire, killing 12 people and wounding 58. The motion, filed by public defenders Daniel King, Tamara Brady and Kristen Nelson- claims that the release of the photograph has “implicated Mr. Holmes’ constitutional rights to a fair trial, to a fair and impartial jury and due process.”

In another motion, the defense team requested a hearing regarding media leaks about a package containing a notebook Holmes mailed to Dr. Lynne Fenton, a University of Colorado psychiatrist. The notebook was seized by police from a University of Colorado mailroom on July 23. News reports citing unnamed law enforcement sources said the notebook contains writings and drawings about the movie theater attack.
 ::snipping2::
The judge will take up both matters at a hearing set for October 11 at 9 a.m.
 ::snipping2::

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/grandfather_stolen_year_girl_aurora_dBfQhvtkWbXHE8Ys3ZpOsJ
Grandfather of 6-year-old Aurora victim wants thief to return stolen photos of girl
October 3, 2012

DENVER — The grandfather of a 6-year-old girl killed during the Aurora theater shootings wants a thief to return pictures of the child that were stolen from his home in a burglary this week.

"They're the last photos I have of her," said Robert Sullivan, grandfather of Veronica Moser-Sullivan, the youngest person slain in the July 20 attack that left 12 dead and dozens wounded.

Sullivan said Wednesday that four cameras were stolen, including one that had a memory card with more than 40 photos of Veronica at a school celebration. Other images show her at a playground.

Sullivan said he still has a well-known photo of the girl licking an ice cream cone, but the rest of the shots are gone. Sullivan said he hopes whoever has the pictures will recognize the girl and return the memory cards to him or police, even if they keep the cameras.

Denver police said Wednesday they are investigating the reported thefts, which also included a coin collection and cash.

Sullivan said the cameras were stolen early Tuesday when he and his wife were out of the house. He was on his way home from work, and his wife was out walking the dog. Sullivan said someone jimmied a window and broke in.
 ::snipping2::

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-james-holmes-colorado-shooting-20121017,0,7887085.story
Colorado shooting: D.A. to see alleged gunman's school records
October 17, 2012

CENTENNIAL, Colo. — A judge in the case against James E. Holmes ruled Wednesday that most of the mass murder suspect’s academic records, his campus police file and some communication with University of Colorado Denver professors can be given to the prosecution to show state of mind and possible motive.

Holmes, 24, was considered a promising doctoral student in the university’s elite neuroscience graduate program before he withdrew about six weeks before the July 20 Aurora theater massacre. Twelve people died and at least 58 were wounded when Holmes allegedly opened fire in a packed movie theater during a post-midnight premiere of “The Dark Knight Rises.” He faces 166 charges, including two first-degree murder charges for each person killed.

Holmes’ waning days at the university have been a key legal issue from the beginning of the case. Prosecutors subpoenaed Holmes’ school records, including his admission application, as well as email communication with professors concerning his academic performance.
More...

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57550077/sources-colo-massacre-suspect-has-made-half-hearted-suicide-tries/
Sources: Colo. massacre suspect has made "half-hearted" suicide tries
November 14, 2012

James Holmes, the suspect in the Aurora, Colorado movie massacre, has made various "half-hearted" suicide attempts in recent days, law enforcement sources tell CBS4's Brian Maass.
A court hearing for Holmes scheduled for Thursday has been postponed after his attorneys said Wednesday that he had been taken to a hospital for unspecified reasons.
Court documents filed Wednesday gave no details of James E. Holmes' condition, other than that it "renders him unable to be present in court for (Thursday's) hearing." The hearing had been scheduled to discuss pretrial motions and media requests for information under state open records laws.

However, law enforcement sources told CBS4's Maass that Holmes has made multiple suicide attempts in recent days -- although none have resulted in serious injury.

Holmes received medical attention after at least one of the attempts. But law enforcement contacts characterize the attempted suicides -- including running into a jail cell wall -- as half hearted attempts.

At a hearing Wednesday on defense attorneys' request to delay the court date, defense attorney Tamara Brady said Holmes was taken to a hospital Tuesday. She didn't say where or offer details on why, saying attorneys don't want to disclose privileged medical or psychiatric information.
 ::snipping2::
His mental health has been an issue in the case since shortly after the shootings. His lawyers told the judge in early August, about three weeks after the shootings, that Holmes was mentally ill. They have not said whether he would enter an insanity plea.

Holmes has appeared alternately dazed and alert in previous court appearances. Attorneys have not said whether he is under medication.

He had been seeing a psychiatrist before the shootings.

He's being held without bail and hasn't entered a plea

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/12/05/university-releases-records-that-may-relate-to-colo-theater-shooting-suspect/
University releases records that may relate to Colo. theater shooting suspect; many redacted
December 5, 2012


DENVER –  The University of Colorado at Denver has released thousands of documents that may relate to the man accused in the Colorado theater shootings, but much of the material appears to be heavily redacted.
More than 2,000 records were released Wednesday after news organizations, including The Associated Press, requested them to learn about James Holmes' year at the school.
A significant number of the documents appeared to be entirely redacted by the school. The university cited federal laws that bar the release of academic or medical information.
 ::snipping2::


Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/12/05/university-releases-records-that-may-relate-to-colo-theater-shooting-suspect/#ixzz2EDJ4JyJ3

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dark-night-rises-shooters-records-398544
University of Denver released 2,000 documents related to alleged shooter James Holmes, revealing that he had a brief romantic relationship. December 5, 2012

Responding to media requests, University of Colorado at Denver released over 2,000 documents related to James Holmes, the alleged shooter in a movie theater rampage in July.

According to the Associated Press, a large number of the documents were redacted, but revealed several new details: Holmes had a brief romantic relationship; one of his professors feared for her students' safety; and students were asked not to speak to media or post to social media about the shooting, but instead refer all requests to campus publicists.
Among the documents not released were 100 emails between Holmes and his friends and family.
 ::snipping2::

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/12/james-holmes-defense-to-subpoena-fox-news-journo.html?mid=google&google_editors_picks=true
Lawyers for James Holmes Want Fox News Reporter’s Notebook Source
December 11, 2012

Attorneys for Aurora, Colorado, shooter James Holmes want to know how Fox News learned about his scary notebook, and plan to subpoena reporter Jana Winter over the matter, they announced in court yesterday. A package addressed to Holmes's psychiatrist was found in the University of Colorado mail room four days after the shooting. According to a Fox News report, it was "full of details about how he was going to kill people" and "drawings and illustrations of the massacre," revelations the defense says violate a gag order in the case.
Nine different law enforcement officials testified yesterday that they were not the source of the leak, the Associated Press reports, and that they did not even know of the notebook's existence until Holmes's lawyers asked for it back. It was then found undelivered, and "I just kind of fanned through it with my thumb," said Aurora detective Alton Reed. It was eventually handed over to the court.
 ::snipping2::

I just came across this, and even though it's a couple of months old, I wanted to post it.

http://**/news/ci_21924270/hospital-write-offs-exceed-2-million-theater-tragedy?source=pkg
Hospital write-offs exceed $2 million in theater tragedy
November 4, 2012

 ::snipping2::
University of Colorado Hospital worked with Medicaid and private insurers so that none of their patients paid deductibles or other out-of-pocket expenses. Doctors also wrote off expenses. Chief executive John Harney said his hospital wrote off more than $2 million in care.

The HealthOne system, including Medical Center of Aurora and Swedish Medical Center, said it provided nearly $500,000 in charity care, not including what doctors didn't bill.
 ::snipping2::

Thank You for sharing this Muffy. There is still so much good in the world. I think we forget. As it seems only the bad and ugly is what we see.  :smt111

You're welcome Green Eyes.  I agree with you, there is still so much good in the world. 

http://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Hearing-may-be-mini-trial-in-theater-shootings-4171022.php
Hearing may be 'mini-trial' in theater shootings
January 6, 2013

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (AP) — The suspect in the Colorado movie theater killings returns to court this week for a hearing that might be the closest thing to a trial the victims and their families will get to see.

James Holmes, a former neuroscience graduate student, is charged with killing 12 people and injuring 70 by opening fire in a darkened theater in the Denver suburb of Aurora last July.

At a weeklong preliminary hearing starting Monday, prosecutors will outline their case against Holmes, the first official public disclosure of their evidence. The judge will then determine whether to send the case to trial.

Legal analysts say that evidence appears to be so strong that Holmes may well accept a plea agreement before trial. In such cases, the preliminary hearing can set the stage for a deal by letting each side assess the other's strengths and weaknesses, said Laurie Levenson, a former federal prosecutor and now a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.

Preliminary hearings "are often the first step to resolving the case, a mini-trial so both sides can see the writing on the wall," Levenson said.

Judges rarely throw out a case at this stage because prosecutors must only meet a "probable cause" standard — much lower than the "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard for a guilty verdict at trial, said Mimi Wesson, a professor of law at the University of Colorado Law School.

Holmes, who faces more than 160 counts including first-degree murder and attempted murder, could have waived his right to a preliminary hearing, allowing lawyers on both sides to prepare for trial. But defense lawyers sometimes go through with the hearing because it gives them a clearer picture of prosecution evidence.

"In this case, I think it likely that the genuine purpose of the hearing would be information-gathering by the defense," Wesson said.

Court officials expect many survivors and family members of the dead to attend the preliminary hearing, along with scores of spectators and reporters. At least two overflow rooms are being prepared where the hearing can be observed by video and audio feeds.

District Judge William B. Sylvester has imposed a gag order on attorneys and investigators, and many court documents have been filed under seal, so little is known about Holmes' path from promising graduate student to suspect in a mass murder.
 ::snipping2::
Holmes could get the death penalty or life in prison without parole if he goes to trial and is convicted of murder. He could avoid the death penalty if his lawyers argue he is mentally ill or innocent by reason of insanity.

Holmes' mental health is expected to be a major factor whether his case ends in a plea agreement or goes to trial.

His lawyers have told the judge that Holmes was mentally ill, and court records indicate they may call witnesses in the preliminary hearing to testify about his mental health. The defense team has not said whether Holmes would enter an insanity plea.

An insanity plea is different from the competency argument used for Jared Loughner, who pleaded guilty to killing six people and wounding 13, including then-Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, in Arizona in 2011.

A judge ruled in May 2011 that Loughner was mentally incompetent to stand trial and ordered him to undergo psychiatric treatment. After Loughner spent more than a year in treatment, the judge ruled he had become competent, and Loughner accepted a plea agreement that carried a sentence of life in prison without parole instead of execution.

The decision on whether to seek the death penalty will be up to the new district attorney for Arapahoe County, George Brauchler, who was elected in November and takes office Tuesday, after the preliminary hearing begins. Brauchler has not indicated what he will do.
 ::snipping2::
If prosecutors do not seek the death penalty, and if Holmes is convicted of or pleads guilty to first-degree murder charges, he would face a mandatory sentence of life without parole.

Arresting police officer says Holmes was ‘detached from it all’

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/alleged-movie-theater-gunman-hear-evidence-against-him-133105839.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/prosecution-set-to-outline-case-against-theater-shooting-suspect-6-months-after-the-killings/2013/01/07/b1a55b06-58a6-11e2-b8b2-0d18a64c8dfa_story.html
Families of Colo. theater shooting victims listen as police describe trying to save wounded
January 7, 2013

CENTENNIAL, Colo. — Police officers who arrested James Holmes after the Colorado movie theater massacre described the suspected gunman, clad in body armor, as unusually relaxed but fidgety at times.

Holmes didn’t resist arrest behind the theater and volunteered that his apartment had been booby trapped, the officers testified during the opening of a hearing in which prosecutors began laying out their case against the former neuroscience graduate student.
Officer Jason Oviatt said Holmes seemed “very, very relaxed” and didn’t seem to have “normal emotional reactions” to things.

“He seemed very detached from it all,” he said.

When Oviatt first saw Holmes in his gear standing next to his car behind the theater, he thought he was a fellow officer but then realized Holmes was standing still, and not rushing toward the theater.

Oviatt pointed his gun at him, handcuffed him and searched him. He said he found two knives and a semi-automatic handgun on top of Holmes’ car. Oviatt said an ammunition magazine also fell out of Holmes’ pocket and he found another one on the ground. He said Holmes was dripping in sweat and his pupils were wide open.

Officer Aaron Blue said Holmes was fidgeting around after he and Oviatt put him in a patrol car, prompting them to stop and search Holmes again. They were worried they might have missed something because of Holmes’ bulky outfit.

Investigators say Holmes tossed two gas canisters and then opened fire during the midnight showing of the Batman movie “The Dark Knight Rises” on July 20, killing 12 people and wounding dozens.

The preliminary hearing is expected to last all week. It will allow the judge to determine whether the prosecution’s case is strong enough to warrant a trial but it’s rare for a ge not to order a trial if a case gets this far.
More...
Video at Link

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-surveillance-video-shows-james-holmes-entering-aurora-theater-20130107,0,4578487.story
James Holmes bought his ticket 12 days before theater shooting
January 7, 2012

CENTENNIAL, Colo. — A surveillance video introduced in court Monday shows James E. Holmes scanning his movie ticket, purchased 12 days earlier and then turning toward Theater 9 where a murderous shooting rampage took place.
 ::snipping2::
Holmes bought his ticket online with his phone on July 8.
 ::snipping2::
Inqui introduced the theater’s surveillance video, which shows Holmes, dressed in dark pants, a white shirt and a skull cap, scanning his ticket, handing it to a ticket agent and then walking to Theater 9. The video also shows the aftermath as dozens of terrified movie patrons fled the theaters.

Inqui testified Monday afternoon at the preliminary hearing, which is expected to run all week. The purpose of the hearing is to decide whether the prosecution has enough of a case for a trial.

Holmes’ legal  team is expected to present an insanity defense.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2013/01/08/holmes-shooting-preliminary-hearing/1818047/
Expert maps out Holmes' booby-trapped apartment
January 8, 2013

CENTENNIAL, Colo. — An FBI bomb technician testified Tuesday that mass murder suspect James Holmes rigged his apartment with a series of homemade bombs that could be accidentally detonated, decimating his apartment building and creating a diversion away from shootings at a movie theater in Aurora.

Garrett Gumbinner, in the second day of a preliminary hearing, said Holmes booby-trapped his apartment with an array of homemade explosives that would be tripped when the front door was opened. The setup included materials as elaborate as napalm and glycerine mixed with potassium magnate, and the carpet was soaked in gasoline and oil, so it could catch fire.

Gumbinner detailed how Holmes rigged the door with fishing line so when it opened, a thermos filled with glycerine would spill into a pan full of potassium magnate, setting off sparks.

Gumbinner said Holmes planned to use a remote-controlled device to set off the explosion.
More...

Video at Link

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1301/07/ddhln.01.html
DR. DREW

Ohio Rape Case Ignites Fury; Theater Massacre

Aired January 7, 2013 - 21:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
 ::snipping2::
PINSKY: And new details about what really happened in the Aurora theater massacre.

Let`s get started.

(END VIDEO CLIP)
 ::snipping2::

PINSKY: Right, Jane, thank you very much. Thank you to Stella, Jeff Herman. Thank you for bringing your client in. I appreciate it.

Next, a police officer weep (ph) whiled testifying today in the Colorado theater massacre case. James Holmes, it`s a lot to get into. We`ll be following very closely. We`ll be discussing after this.
 ::snipping2::
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PINSKY: Welcome back. I`m with relationship coach, Laura Baron, my co-host all this week. And just (INAUDIBLE) important territory tonight talking about spring boarding out of that rape in Steubenville. Now, a number of people were forced to relive the Colorado theater massacre during a court hearing today. Police officer shed tears as he described the bloody tragic scene.

We don`t have video of it, but we have sketches. Cameras were not allowed in the courtroom today. Twelve people were killed, (ph) scores were injured. James Holmes is accused of the crimes. Joining me to discuss also back is Cheryl, Dr. Cheryl Arutt. And of course, I`ve got Mark Eiglarsh and Areva Martin there with me as well.

Mark, let me go with you since for you and I, this feels like old territory to be going over cases that are disturbing. This gets kind of complicated in this case. As I understand, Colorado has not adjusted its laws as it pertains to insanity, putting a burden on the prosecution. Help us understand this.

MARK EIGLARSH, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: That`s correct. You know, after John Hinckley, Jr. got sent to a mental hospital instead of going to prison, the law changed in the federal system. The burden now is on the defendant in the federal system to prove that they suffer from a mental illness, enough they didn`t know right from wrong at the time the offense was committed.

Colorado did not change its law. So, the burden is actually on the prosecutors. Once the defense raises the insanity issue, prosecutors must prove that he was sane, which ordinarily would be tough to do, but with these facts, there`s so much that shows premeditation and planning, that he knew right from wrong, the body armor, the way that he went in and purchased the ticket, pried the door open, had three guns, knew which guns he used after each, there is so much here.

The booby trapping, everything that shows that he was sane. Not necessarily, you know, with all his faculties but just that he knew legally right from wrong.

PINSKY: Areva, let me go to you and ask what happened in court today, and also, address the issue, perhaps, of why we can`t -- forget this insanity versus not insanity -- why can`t we hold somebody accountable for not having dealt with his mental illness that resulted in such a horrible crime?

AREVA MARTIN, FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY: You know, what happened today, Dr. Drew, was a preliminary hearing, essentially a mini trial, an opportunity for the prosecutors to present evidence to the judge and for the judge to determine if there is enough evidence to hold this guy over for a trial on these charges that he`s been accused of.

No doubt, in this case, he will be held over. A preliminary hearing also gives both sides an opportunity, perhaps, to strike a plea bargain. You know, a lot of talk about capital punishment, whether the death penalty will be sought in this case and some believe that there may be a plea where you get Holmes in this case to accept some deal, maybe that`s life in prison without opportunity to get out, you know, without opportunity for parole in lieu of the death penalty.

So, lots of evidence. And usual preliminary hearing, usually these things are about an hour a day at best. This is predicted to go on for five days because there is so much evidence. You know, I just want to address one thing that Mark said, too, about, you know, the surefire position that he takes that insanity will be pretty clear.

I don`t know. You know, we got the guy showing up with the orange hair we`re seeing on the screen. We have him saying that he was the joker when the police arrived on the scene. We have bottles of prescription medication. We have evidence that he tried to call a psychiatrist right before the shooting took place.

So, it`s going to be, you know, kind of a coin toss, I think, when we talk about can the prosecution establish that this guy was sane? I know there`s a lot of premeditation type evidence, there was a lot of executive planning that took place, but there is also a lot to suggest that Holmes was not mentally stable.

PINSKY: Right.

MARTIN: That he was, in fact, insane.

PINSKY: Right.

MARTIN: And we`re going to see a lot more about that.

(CROSSTALK)

PINSKY: You`re a forensic psychologist. And so, for me, this is some sort of schizophrenic form reaction pretty clearly. I mean, it`s pretty clear.

CHERYL ARUTT, PSY.D., CLINICAL AND FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGIST: The first thing I thought.

PINSKY: It`s not a mystery. This is how people can behave. So, the question, though, is, can we -- why aren`t we trying to hold people accountable for not following through on their treatment before they do something awful? Because for me, I am very sympathetic to the mentally ill, but if they refuse treatment to the point that they do something awful, isn`t that a reason to hold him accountable?
ARUTT: Well, I think we need to point out that Holmes, himself, seemed to be in treatment and on medication and working with a psychiatrist who was a specialist in schizophrenia and paranoid schizophrenia.

So, he actually may have been attempting to work on his issues. But the thing that is so tough about psychotic disorders is that people lose the ability to tell the difference between what`s real and what isn`t and what`s happening inside them and outside them, and even if they may have periods of clarity --

PINSKY: Or cognitive function where they can plan and things, yes.

ARUTT: It`s very, very difficult -- it`s difficult for my high- functioning people who I see to access services and deal with insurance companies and get the care that they need, and it is so much more difficult when people have these serious, serious illnesses.

PINSKY: Laura?

BARON: Well, the thing that I truly don`t get is that I don`t even understand why insanity is coming up, because what does that mean? So, he gets thrown into a mental institution for a couple of years, gets some drugs and then gets back out?

PINSKY: Well, that`s the scary part. In Colorado, that`s the scary thing. He could be out in a few years. He could be sitting next to you or our kids in a movie theater. Mark -- finish it up, Mark.

EIGLARSH: I found an interesting statistic. I don`t know if it`s true, but I read from a reliable source that the average stay in a mental hospital for someone who committed homicide, but yet, was found insane legally was 7.5 years. And for this, that would be a miscarriage of justice.

BARON: Can that help them, drew? Can that help?

PINSKY: Well, yes, it can help them, but the question is, is there not something to be held accountable for above and beyond his mental condition? You`re saying yes.

BARON: Yes.

PINSKY: Hold that thought. We got to take a break.

BARON: OK.

PINSKY: back with calls. More on this after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: 315 and 314, first shooting at Century Theaters, 14 300 East Alameda Avenue. They`re saying somebody`s shooting in the auditorium.

He came down with a gun in my face. He was about three feet away from me at that point. And I honestly didn`t know what to do. I was terrified.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We need rescue inside the auditorium, multiple victims.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The guy was just standing right by the exit just firing away. He`s not aiming at a specific person, he`s just aiming everywhere, trying to hit as many people as he can.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`ve got a child victim. I need rescue at the back door of theater 9 now.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Suspect is going to be a male, unknown race, black camo outside outfit believed to be wearing a vest, gas mask, and multiple long guns.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PINSKY: That was the 911 calls from the night of that shooting. Such disturbing material. These stories are so almost unbelievable. But Mark, my question is, let`s say we establish he has severe mental health issue. Let`s say they`re not able to keep this out of a courtroom and it goes to a jury.

If I was sitting on that jury, again, even as enlightened as I like to think I am about mental health, I would have a hard time not wanting to take some action against this man that set the scales of justice right. Do you think I`d be alone in that?

EIGLARSH: You, me -- no, you, me, most people, because -- and that`s why the insanity defense works in maybe about three percent of the cases. Most people don`t want to kind of excuse to some extent abhorrent behavior and also knowing that somebody may be let out in a few years simply because a doctor says the person is OK? That`s just not punishment for most people, so it just rarely works.

MARTIN: This is another wrinkle in this case, too, Dr. Drew, in terms of the Colorado law. Even if Holmes knew the difference between right or wrong, there is this irresistible impulse part of the criminal statues in Colorado which says, you know, it has to look at -- could he stuck (ph) his behavior? Could he control his behavior?

So, something else that we have to look very closely and as the experts start to come forward assuming there is a trial in this matter. We`re going to hear a lot about did he know the difference between right or wrong, and also, could he control --

(CROSSTALK)

PINSKY: Areva, that`s very interesting. Something I`m familiar with, and that`s another sort of wrinkle in this. And we don`t think in term as mental health professionals, you know, whether psychotic patients could versus can`t control their impulses, so we consider them just disconnected from reality.

But a lot of people may not be aware, there are this thread of assessment teams since Virginia Tech, and University of Colorado had a great threat assessment team. It was operating normally. I`m going to ask Cheryl, do you have any speculation why it broke down? It seemed like he was seeing a good psychiatrist who knew what she was doing.

She`s excellent trained. I have a feeling she couldn`t do her job for some reason. Do you have a theory why?

ARUTT: You know, I think it`s tempting to -- because of what we know about the devastating outcome to possibly even put undue blame on the psychiatrist --

PINSKY: I`m not ready to blame her at all. I think (INAUDIBLE.)

ARUTT: I don`t know. I got to say, I think there is a major fail --

(CROSSTALK)

ARUTT: -- on the medical system, and I also want to know, you know, the victims are always the ones that are surprised. The family is never surprised. That family, I am sure, knew that this guy was like tink.

PINSKY: It`s back to another issue which I`ve talked about. Meantime, the show which is, you know, adult children with mental illness, you can get conservatorships for them, you can dictate what they can and can`t do if they`re dangerous. Would you advocate for conservatorships? I certainly do.

ARUTT: I would. Do you think that this guy could help himself? Do you think he could make --

PINSKY: Could have stopped himself?

ARUTT: Do you?

PINSKY: He knew enough to call a psychiatrist before he did. So, there was some piece of him that knew something. It`s all so sad, the breakdown of our mental health system, there`s victims is just another disgustingly horrible case where we`ve let our victims down and we`ve let our mental health patients down, too.

BARON: But Drew, where does the responsibility lie? Who could have stopped this guy?

PINSKY: We`re going to find out, hopefully, as more of this comes out. I do appreciate. Listen, thank you to Mark, Areva, Cheryl, of course, Walter Madison, Jane and Stella Doe and Jeff Herman for Joing us as well. Laura, thank you for joining me this week. It`s going to be really fun.
 ::snipping2::

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/08/16414072-fbi-james-holmes-booby-trap-used-remote-control-car-frying-pan?lite
FBI: James Holmes' booby-trap used remote-control car, frying pan
January 8, 2013

Updated at 11:21 p.m. ET: After two days of presenting evidence against accused Aurora theater shooter James Holmes, the prosecution prepared to interview a detective, its final witness, on Wednesday, according to the Denver Post. The defense may then set forth its case.
Among the more vivid accounts in Tuesday's testimony was the description of how Holmes booby-trapped his home, hoping to distract officers from the theater shooting.
Holmes used a thermos, frying pan, remote-control car and volatile chemicals to rig his apartment to blow up during the Aurora theater massacre, an FBI agent testified Tuesday.
On the stand for a preliminary hearing, bomb technician Garret Gumbinner described the diabolical contraptions authorities found when they went to the grad-school dropout’s Colorado apartment.
There was a trip-wire leading from the door to a thermos filled with glycerine that was perched over a frying pan filled with potassium permanganate, Gumbinner said.
If they combined, there would be a spark that would set off a chain-reaction: fast-moving flames and a series of explosions as homemade devices scattered around the apartment ignited.
More...

Photos & Video at Link

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/10/us/james-holmes-scouted-aurora-theater-before-attack-prosecutors-say.html
Aurora Suspect Scouted Theater Before Shootings, Prosecutors Say
January 9, 2013

CENTENNIAL, Colo. − Prosecutors said Wednesday that in the weeks before James E. Holmes opened fire inside a crowded movie theater, killing 12 people and wounding more than 50 others, he went to the theater on a reconnaissance mission, using his smartphone to take photos of the interior and the exit door.

The authorities also found photos of weapons Mr. Holmes planned to use in the attack, prosecutors said, including a vest and a semiautomatic assault rifle. Another picture on Mr. Holmes’ phone showed him assembling explosives that he used to booby-trap his apartment, prosecutors said.

The details about the photographs came on the final day of a preliminary hearing that will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to try Mr. Holmes, a former neuroscience graduate student. He faces more than 160 counts of murder and attempted murder.

The judge, William B. Sylvester of Arapahoe County District Court, set a hearing for Friday and is expected to issue a ruling by then. If Judge Sylvester determines there is enough evidence for a trial, Mr. Holmes could be arraigned the same day.
More...

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-aurora-theater-trial-20130110,0,6520252.story
James Holmes to stand trial for theater rampage, judge rules
January 10, 2013

CENTENNIAL, Colo. -- James E. Holmes will stand trial in the Aurora theater rampage that left 12 people dead and another 70 wounded, a Colorado judge ruled Thursday night.

Judge William Sylvester found enough evidence to bind the suspected gunman over for trial on 166 counts of murder, attempted murder and weapons charges. Sylvester ordered that a previously scheduled Friday hearing be Holmes' arraignment.

Defense attorneys have said he is mentally ill, leading to speculation that they will offer an insanity defense. But in a motion earlier Thursday, they said they were not ready to enter a plea. They are likely to ask for a continuance.
 ::snipping2::

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/01/11/colorado-movie-theater-gunman-attorneys-say-theyre-not-ready-to-enter-plea/
Colorado movie theater gunman's arraignment delayed until March
January 11, 2013

CENTENNIAL, COLORADO –  The judge in the Colorado movie theater massacre trial has granted the defense's request for a delay in the arraignment until March.

The delay comes after a judge ordered 25-year-old James Holmes to stand trial, but his attorneys said they're not ready to enter a plea at a hearing.

Prosecution polled victims families to find out whether they wanted the arraignment Friday, or whether they wanted to wait. 84 of the family members wanted to proceed, but others voted in favor of the delay.

After a week in which prosecutors made a graphic case to bring Holmes to trial for the shooting that left 12 dead and 70 wounded, the judge on Thursday ruled that the case could go forward. Holmes faces multiple counts of first-degree murder and attempted murder and could face the death penalty.

Holmes' lawyers have argued that he is mentally ill.

Either side also could argue that Holmes is not mentally capable of assisting in his own defense. If he's found incompetent, the case would come to a halt while he receives psychiatric treatment and until he can be declared competent for trial.
 ::snipping2::

http://abcnews.go.com/US/james-holmes-told-rot-hell-victims-dad/story?id=18191843
James Holmes Told to 'Rot in Hell' By Victim's Dad
January 13, 2013

The father of a young woman allegedly slain by James Holmes in the Aurora movie theater massacre yelled "Rot in hell, Holmes" during a court hearing today.

The outburst by Steve Hernandez prompted judge William Sylvester to have an off-the-record conference with prosecutors and defense attorneys. Sylvester then reconvened court to address the issue while armed court deputies watched over Hernandez at the front of the gallery.

Hernandez's daughter, Rebecca Wingo, was one of Holmes' 12 murder victims when he opened fire in the crowded movie theater July 20 during the midnight showing of "Dark Knight Rises." Wingo, 32, was the mother of two young girls.

"I am terribly sorry for your loss," Sylvester told Hernandez. "I can only begin to imagine the emotions that this is raising."

He then lectured Hernandez about the decorum order in place to prevent outbursts in the courtroom.

"I meant no disrespect," Hernandez apologized, promising there would be no further trouble and he was let go.
 ::snipping2::

http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/national/aurora-movie-theater-holds-reopening-event-6-months-after-shooting-at-dark-knight-rises-premiere
Aurora movie theater holds reopening event 6 months after shooting at 'Dark Knight Rises' premiere
January 17, 2013

http://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/nation/2013/02/01/will-death-penalty-be-sought-against-holmes/1883111/
Death penalty may be sought against James Holmes
February 1, 2013

VIDEO

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/01/aurora-suspect-james-holmes-defense-accused-of-misleading-judge/
Aurora Suspect James Holmes’ Defense Accused of Misleading Judge
January 31, 2013

An attorney for a journalist reporting on last summer’s theater massacre in Aurora, Colo., has accused the defense team for James Holmes of misleading the judge overseeing the case, a charge the defense strongly denied.
The journalist, Jana Winter, is fighting an effort to force her to reveal confidential sources used in a story about a notebook that Holmes sent to his psychiatrist Lynne Fenton before the shooting. Fenton never received the package containing the notebook, and it was seized by police.
Fox News published an article written by Winter citing two unnamed law enforcement officials who said the notebook contained “full details about how he was going to kill people” and “drawings and illustrations of the massacre.”
A gag order in the case was in effect when the article was published, and Holmes’ attorneys have been trying to determine who leaked the information to Fox News. At a hearing in December, several law enforcement officers testified they were not the source of the leak.
More...
A hearing on the issue of the leak was scheduled for next week. However, Judge William Sylvester pushed the hearing back on the calendar until April because the defense said it was not ready and because Sylvester wanted to make sure there were no errors introduced in the legal proceedings.
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http://denver.cbslocal.com/2013/02/05/james-holmes-lawyers-object-to-ending-gag-order/
James Holmes’ Lawyers Object To Ending Gag Order
February 5, 2013

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (AP) – Lawyers for the man charged in the Colorado theater shooting are objecting to the city of Aurora’s request to lift a judge’s gag order.

The city said last month that it has received several requests from emergency responders around the county for details on how city officials managed the July 20 attack. The city also has received requests from media, academics and individuals for items including recordings of 911 calls.
More...

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/movie-theater-shooting/james-holmes-lawyers-dont-want-cameras-in-courtroom-for-accused-shooters-plea
James Holmes' lawyers don't want cameras in courtroom for accused shooter's plea
February 4, 2013

AURORA, Colo. - James Holmes' lawyers don't want cameras in the courtroom when the accused movie theater shooter enters his plea in March.

In a filing made public Monday, Homes' attorneys said allowing cameras would violate Holmes' rights to a fair trial.
More...

http://www.examiner.com/article/james-holmes-defense-after-documents-jana-winter-hearing
James Holmes' defense after documents in Jana Winter hearing
February 8, 2013

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/movie-theater-shooting/gag-order-on-james-holmes-case-will-remain-in-place-judge-decides
Gag order in James Holmes case will remain in place, judge decides
February 12, 2013

CENTENNIAL, Colo. - The gag order limiting what police, paramedics and lawyers can say about the Aurora theater shooting will remain in effect, Judge William Sylvester in an order  made public Tuesday.

In the order issued Monday, Judge Sylvester recounted that the City of Aurora had requested the motion to limit pre-trial publicity be lifted.  Based on that order, the city has denied requests to speak to the media, schools, individuals and other law enforcement agencies.
More...

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/03/01/defense-again-indicates-that-colo-theater-shooting-suspect-james-holmes-might/
Defense again indicates that Colo. theater shooting suspect James Holmes might plead insanity
March 1, 2013

CENTENNIAL, COLO. –  Lawyers for the Colorado theater shooting suspect have indicated their client might plead not guilty by reason of insanity.

In court documents made public Friday, James Holmes' attorneys want the judge to declare portions of the state's insanity defense laws unconstitutional.

The filings say the laws in which a defendant may waive their right to remain silent and reveal confidential medical information should be unconstitutional in cases involving the possibility of execution.

Attorneys also say not knowing whether prosecutors will seek the death penalty directly impacts what type of plea to enter at the March 12 arraignment or what type of defense to use.
 ::snipping2::

http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/01/justice/colorado-holmes/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
Holmes' lawyers blast Colorado's insanity laws
March 1, 2013

CNN) -- Lawyers for James Holmes, the Aurora, Colorado, theater mass shooting suspect, took aim against the state's insanity laws in court documents made public Friday.
"Colorado's statutory scheme regarding the affirmative defense of insanity, and the introduction of any 'mental condition' evidence at trial or sentencing, is unconstitutional in many individual respects," they wrote in a 60-page motion and brief filed Thursday.
The lawyers asked the judge to rule that parts of the state's insanity defense laws are unconstitutional. Among other issues, they cited the requirement that a defendant "cooperate" with examining psychiatrists as a violation of the defendant's privilege against compelled self-incrimination.
 ::snipping2::

comments

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-james-holmes-insanity-plea-ruling-20130308,0,1835827.story
James Holmes case: Judge rules Colo. insanity plea constitutional
March 8, 2013

CENTENNIAL, Colo. -- The judge in the Aurora movie massacre case has rejected a defense argument that Colorado laws on insanity pleas are unconstitutional, clearing the way for the long-awaited arraignment of James E. Holmes next week.

Holmes, 25, was arrested without resistance minutes after he allegedly opened fire July 20 inside a packed theater during the showing of “The Dark Knight Rises.” Twelve people were killed and 70 were wounded in a crime that horrified the nation and is now invoked by both sides in the ongoing gun control debate.

Holmes has been held in isolation without bond and has not yet entered a plea. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday.

In anticipation of the arraignment, Holmes' attorneys filed a series of  motions challenging the state’s insanity plea laws and processes. His attorneys argued that the laws were vague and put Holmes in a Catch-22 position should he enter such a plea.

Once an insanity plea is entered, Holmes would be immediately examined by state psychiatric experts. The defense argued that if he cooperated with doctors, all of his past mental health records would be available and he would lose prior doctor patient privilege. If he did not cooperate, the defense contended that it could be held against him and defense witnesses testifying to his mental state would not allowed.

Chief District Judge William Sylvester of Colorado’s 18th Judicial District ruled that the state’s insanity plea process did not violate Holmes’ constitutional right against self-incrimination, right to remain silent, or interfere with his right to due process.

The judge did agree to provide the defense with a written advisement of the consequences of a defendant pleading not guilty by reason of insanity.
 ::snipping2::
It is not yet known if prosecutors will seek the death penalty. Colorado rarely imposes the death penalty. The district attorney has about 60 days to decide once a plea is entered.

Although a court gag order has been imposed on the case, the judge has agreed to allow cameras, but no audio, in the courtroom during the arraignment.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/08/james-holmes-trial-judge-_n_2837045.html
James Holmes Trial: Judge Denies Holmes' Defense Request To Overturn Colorado Insanity Law
March 8, 2013

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-james-holmes-arraign-20130311,0,7793022.story
James Holmes to be arraigned in Aurora, Colo., theater massacre
March 12, 2013

CENTENNIAL, Colo. – James E. Holmes, the man accused of unleashing the movie theater massacre seven months ago in Aurora, Colo., is expected to enter a plea on Tuesday.

Holmes, 25, will be arraigned at 9 a.m. in a case involving a crime that has transfixed and horrified the nation in its viciousness. The former neuroscience doctoral student at the University of Colorado-Denver is accused of opening fire in a packed movie theater on July 20, killing 12 and wounding about 70. He is charged with 166 counts and could face the death penalty.

He has been held without bail in isolation at the Arapahoe County Jail since his surrender and arrest minutes after the theater shooting.

Late last week, Chief District William B. Sylvester, of Colorado’s 18th Judicial District, paved the way for the arraignment by overruling defense claims that the state’s laws on insanity pleas were unconstitutional.

It is widely expected that Holmes, whom his lawyers have characterized as deeply mentally ill, will plead not guilty by reason of insanity. If he is found to be insane or to have a mental defect, he would avoid the death penalty.
More...

http://www.krmg.com/news/news/local/truth-serum-could-be-used-colorado-shooter-james-h/nWpj5/
Truth serum could be used on Colorado shooter James Holmes
Judge has allowed use of the drugs
March 12, 2013

Holmes defense team may enter a plea of insanity today in the Aurora massacre case.
That may lead to the use of drugs known typically called “truth serum” being given to Holmes.
Judge William Sylvester has already approved the use of the drugs for what is termed a narcoanalytic interview.
The combination sodium amytal and pentothal are the common forms of the cocktail and are known to relax those who receive it and lower inhibitions making it more likely the patient will answer questions more honestly.
 ::snipping2::

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/13/us/judge-enters-not-guilty-plea-for-james-e-holmes.html?_r=0
Judge Enters Not Guilty Plea for Suspect in Theater Rampage
March 12, 2013

CENTENNIAL, Colo. — A judge here entered a not guilty plea on Tuesday for James E. Holmes, a former neuroscience student charged with killing 12 people and wounding scores more in a mass shooting in a suburban Denver movie theater.
In the days before Tuesday’s hearing, the judge in the case, William B. Sylvester, had laid the groundwork for Mr. Holmes to plead not guilty by reason of insanity, describing the mental examinations and court-ordered interviews that would flow from such a plea.

But Mr. Holmes’s lawyers told the court on Tuesday that they were not ready to enter any plea, and said they did know when they might be ready.

Clearly frustrated, Judge Sylvester refused the defense’s requests for more time and entered the simple not guilty plea for Mr. Holmes.
 ::snipping2::
Mr. Holmes can still change the plea, but prosecutors signaled they would fight any such move.

“As far as we’re concerned, they are entering a plea of not guilty, and what they have done to this point is not sufficient to enter a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity,” Karen Pearson, an assistant district attorney for Arapahoe County, said in court.

On Tuesday, prosecutors said they would announce whether they would seek the death penalty against Mr. Holmes at an April 1 hearing.

The judge set a four-week trial for the month of August. Given the delays so far in the case, that date may not hold.

http://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Colo-theater-shooting-suspect-offers-guilty-plea-4389331.php
Colo. theater shooting suspect offers guilty plea
March 27, 2013

DENVER (AP) — Lawyers for Colorado theater shooting suspect James Holmes said Wednesday he would plead guilty and serve the rest of his life in prison to avoid the death penalty.

The offer sets up a possible end to the case if prosecutors agree to a plea deal. They're set to announce Monday whether they'll seek capital punishment and wouldn't comment Wednesday on the filing, although defense attorneys said their offer hasn't been accepted.

"The prosecution at this time has not accepted that offer because it may choose to pursue the death penalty. Consequently, it appears the only impediment to a resolution of this case would be if the prosecution chooses to seek the death penalty. If the prosecution elects not to pursue the death penalty, it is Mr. Holmes' position that this case could be resolved April 1," defense lawyers wrote.

Prosecutors would likely consult with victims and their families before deciding whether to accept the offer. Holmes' lawyers said the case could end Monday if prosecutors accept.

Holmes' attorneys told a judge earlier this month they weren't ready to enter a plea in the case, and the judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.
 ::snipping2::
The judge scheduled the trial to start Aug. 5, setting aside four weeks.

Comments

http://www.myfoxdfw.com/story/21823212/prosecutors-not-ready-to-agree-to-holmes-plea
Prosecutors not ready to agree to Holmes plea
March 28, 2013

DENVER (AP) - Prosecutors in the Colorado theater shooting on Thursday rejected an offer from suspect James Holmes to plead guilty in exchange for avoiding the death penalty and accused defense lawyers of a serious breach of court rules by making the offer public.

In a scathing court document, prosecutors said the defense has repeatedly refused to give them the information they need to evaluate the plea offer, so the offer can't be considered genuine.

No plea agreement exists, prosecutors said, and one "is extremely unlikely based on the present information available to the prosecution."

They also said anyone reading news stories about the offer would inevitably conclude "the defendant knows that he is guilty, the defense attorneys know that he is guilty, and that both of them know that he was not criminally insane."
More....

http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/01/justice/colorado-theater-shooting-prosecution/index.html
Prosecution pushes death penalty for Colorado theater shooting suspect
April 1, 2013

Centennial, Colorado (CNN) -- Prosecutors said Monday they will seek the death penalty for Colorado movie theater shooting suspect James Holmes despite his offer last week to plead guilty in exchange for avoiding a death sentence.
"It is my determination and my intention that in this case for James Eagan Holmes, justice is death," Arapahoe County District Attorney George Brauchler said.
Before reaching the decision, the district attorney said he spoke directly with dozens of victims' family members.
 ::snipping2::
Last week defense attorneys filed documents saying Holmes had offered to plead guilty and spend the rest of his life behind bars in exchange for avoiding the death penalty.
Prosecutors took the defense to task for publicly offering it, saying they hadn't been given enough information to even consider such a deal.
"Not only improper, but grossly improper," prosecutors said in a Thursday court filing. "For the intended purpose of generating predictable publicity."
Holmes faces 166 counts of murder and attempted murder for last year's shooting at an Aurora movie theater that left 12 people dead and 58 wounded.
Attorneys on both sides are under a gag order, leaving case watchers to divine tactics from court documents.
"Prior to arraignment, Mr. Holmes made an offer to the prosecution to resolve this case by pleading guilty and spending the rest of his life in prison, without any opportunity for parole," the documents filed by the defense team read.
Last month, a judge entered a standard plea of not guilty for Holmes, who is accused in the July 20 shooting.
In the documents filed Wednesday, his attorneys said they were still exploring a mental health defense, "and counsel will vigorously present and argue any and all appropriate defenses at a trial or sentencing proceeding, as necessary."
Federal agents have said the former University of Colorado doctoral student planned the attack for months.
 ::snipping2::
Holmes' trial date has been set for August 5.

http://denver.cbslocal.com/2013/04/19/prosecutors-make-case-for-death-penalty-in-james-holmes-case/
Prosecutors Make Case For Death Penalty In James Holmes Case
April 19, 2013

DENVER (AP) – Prosecutors in the deadly Colorado theater shootings said Friday that if suspect James Holmes is convicted, they will argue he should be executed because one of the victims was a child and because the attack was an ambush.

Prosecutors filed a court document listing aggravating factors they plan to raise in a possible death penalty phase of the trial.

Holmes is charged with more than 160 counts, including murder and attempted murder. Prosecutors say he spent months buying guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition, donned police-style body armor and opened fire in a crowded Aurora theater during a midnight showing of the latest Batman movie on July 20. Twelve people were killed and 70 injured.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

One of the aggravating factors prosecutors listed Friday is the death of 6-year-old Veronica Moser-Sullivan, the youngest of dead. Another says the slayings were “especially heinous, cruel or depraved.”

The other factors suggest Holmes acted with malice and “extreme indifference to the value of human life” and accuse him of knowingly putting other people at risk.

Prosecutors said they could add to the list. They also said they might ask to use audio and video recordings of Holmes with other people in the Arapahoe County jail as evidence.

Also Friday, defense lawyers suggested again that they might challenge the constitutionality of state laws on the death penalty and insanity pleas.

Holmes’ attorneys said in a written motion that overlapping elements of the laws could violate Holmes’ protection against self-incrimination, his right to present evidence in his own defense, and other provisions of the U.S. and state constitutions.

Holmes’ lawyers tried to raise their constitutionality questions in March, but Judge William Sylvester refused to consider them. Prosecutors had not yet said whether they would ask for the death penalty, so Sylvester said questions about the laws were only speculative at the time.

Holmes was widely expected to enter an insanity plea but so far has not.
More...

http://abcnews.go.com/US/aurora-shooting-james-holmes-prosecutors-jail-video-audio/story?id=19007316
James Holmes' Prosecutors Want to Use Jail Video and Audio at Trial
April 20, 2013

The prosecution seeking the death penalty against James Holmes in the Aurora theater shooting case wants to see what he's been doing in jail so that they can possibly use it against him during the penalty phase of trial if he is found guilty by a jury.

In a new notice filed Friday in Arapahoe District Court, District Attorney George Brauchler made a list of evidence he wants to see in order to establish a capital murder case, including "any video or audio recording of the defendant and/or any person he interacts with while incarcerated."

Former Colorado prosecutor Bob Grant says asking for jailhouse recordings is an excellent way to catch an inmate off-guard. "Every jail phone has big sign right there on the wall and the prisoners all sign a document that 'This phone is monitored' and it doesn't make a darn bit of difference. They say the most incriminating stuff," said Grant, a former district attorney for Adams County.

Grant, the last district attorney to successfully prosecute a death penalty case in Colorado, added, "I don't doubt that in some of those recordings the prosecutor is looking for something to establish state of mind. If he's (Holmes) making sense like a common man would make, then it would help them to disprove insanity."

There were 74 types of evidence requested in the motion, including cell site data from Holmes' cellular phone, 911 calls "related to disturbance complaints" the day before and of the murders, and spent shell casings collected from the Byers Canyon Rifle Range.

It's the first time law enforcement has publicly mentioned that the shooter may have used the range for target practice.
 ::snipping2::

Holmes' trial is scheduled to begin in February 2014.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-james-holmes-defense-20130429,0,6093687.story
Theater rampage: Holmes' lawyers object to Colorado insanity law
April 29, 2013

CENTENNIAL, Colo. – Defense attorneys for accused movie theater gunman James E. Holmes renewed their objections Monday to the constitutionality of the state’s insanity defense, giving another hint about how they hope to save their client’s life.

Holmes is accused of opening fire in a packed Aurora theater on July 20, killing 12 people and wounding 70 others. He is charged with 166 counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder and weapons charges.

Dist. Atty. George Brauchler announced April 1 that his office would seek the death penalty.

But Homes cannot be put to death if he is found not guilty by reason of insanity or mental defect.

For months, the defense has seemed to be moving toward an insanity plea but has not entered it. Holmes’ lawyers said Monday that their client "suffers from a serious mental illness."

On March 12, Chief District Judge William Sylvester entered a traditional not guilty plea on Holmes’ behalf when the defense said it was not ready to enter a plea.

Defense attorneys have previously argued unsuccessfully that by entering an insanity plea and forcing Holmes to undergo state-ordered psychiatric evaluations, his constitutional rights could be jeopardized. The defense said if Holmes was forced to cooperate during the evaluation, what he said could be used against him in violation of his right against self-incrimination.

Yet if he did not cooperate, that too could be used against him at trial or sentencing and could prevent his attorneys from introducing expert testimony about Holmes' mental state, the defense said.

Sylvester discarded those arguments at the time, saying Colorado laws on insanity defense had already been upheld. But because the prosecution had not yet announced that it was seeking the death penalty, the judge left the door open to revisit the issue in the context of a capital case. Since then, Sylvester has stepped aside from the case and been replaced by District Judge Carlos Samour Jr.

On Monday, the defense said the time to take up the constitutional issues had arrived, especially because their client’s life hangs in the balance.
More...

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57583349/colo-movie-theater-shooting-suspect-to-enter-insanity-plea/
Colo. movie theater shooting suspect to enter insanity plea
May 7, 2013

DENVER The man accused in the deadly Colorado theater shootings wants to change his plea to not guilty by reason of insanity, his lawyers said Tuesday.

Attorneys for James Holmes said in a court filing they plan to formally ask for the change of plea at a May 13 hearing.
The insanity plea was widely expected given the compelling evidence against Holmes, who is accused of opening fire July 20 in a crowded theater in the Denver suburb of Aurora. Twelve people were killed and 70 injured.

But his lawyers delayed entering an insanity plea for weeks, saying Colorado's insanity and death penalty laws overlapped in a way that could severely — and unconstitutionally — hamper his defense if he did plead insanity.
The defense has asked both judges who have presided over the case to rule on the constitutionality of the laws. Both judges refused, saying the question was speculative because Holmes hadn't entered an insanity plea. That left Holmes' lawyers with no choice but to enter the insanity plea, then seek a ruling on the constitutionality question.

Holmes, 25, is charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder.

A judge in the case previously entered a standard not guilty plea for him. If a judge accepts the new plea, Holmes would be sent to the state mental hospital, where doctors would determine whether he was insane at the time of the shootings.

If the doctors do determine that Holmes was insane, a jury could still find him guilty.

Colorado law defines insanity as the inability to distinguish right from wrong, caused by a diseased or defective mind. The law specifically excludes depravity, "moral obliquity" or passion caused by anger or hatred from being considered insanity.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. They declined to comment Tuesday.
More...

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/14/us/james-holmes-aurora-shooting-suspect-enters-insanity-plea.html?_r=0
Mental Evaluations Endorse Insanity Plea in Colorado Shootings, Defense Says
May 13, 2013


CENTENNIAL, Colo. — Mental health experts who evaluated the 25-year-old man accused of killing 12 people in a Colorado movie theater last year have offered a diagnosis that bolsters an insanity plea in the case, his lawyers said in a hearing here on Monday.

“We now have a diagnosis that’s complete,” Daniel King, a defense lawyer for the suspect, James E. Holmes, said in court. “We now have an opinion by qualified professionals.”
 ::snipping3::
Mr. Holmes’s lawyers made a long-expected move on Monday to change his plea to not guilty by reason of insanity. At an arraignment in March, a judge entered a straightforward not guilty plea on Mr. Holmes’s behalf after his lawyers said they were not ready to enter a plea.

An insanity plea would mean that the case against Mr. Holmes — and questions of whether he should be put to death if he is convicted — will rest largely on his mind-set on the night of the shooting.

Defense lawyers have alluded several times in court that Mr. Holmes is mentally ill, but they have not provided details. A gag order that has been in place for months has prevented both sides from discussing the case outside of court.

Mr. Holmes had seen a psychiatrist at the University of Colorado Denver before the shootings, and she had warned the campus police that Mr. Holmes had threatened her and had made homicidal statements. Weeks before his rampage, Mr. Holmes also sent a text message to a classmate asking about “manic dysphoria” — a psychiatric condition that combines the symptoms of mania and depression — and warning her to stay away from him because he was “bad news.”

Prosecutors and the police have characterized Mr. Holmes’s actions as methodical and deliberate. They say that he spent weeks assembling an arsenal of guns, ammunition and explosives and that he scouted the theater, the Century 16 multiplex, weeks in advance, taking photographs of the exterior and an inside door jamb. They said he laid explosive booby traps at his Aurora apartment designed to kill or maim anyone who came looking for him.

The judge in the case, Carlos A. Samour Jr., said Monday there was good cause for Mr. Holmes to change his plea, but he stopped short of allowing it. Mr. Holmes’s lawyers have raised questions about a thicket of issues regarding the legal implications of the court-ordered examinations that Mr. Holmes will have to undergo to pursue an insanity defense. Those disputes have to be resolved first.

The judge is expected to formally accept Mr. Holmes’s insanity plea later this month.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-james-holmes-hearing-20130604,0,2353533.story
Aurora movie rampage: Judge to rule on James Holmes insanity plea
June 4, 2013

CENTENNIAL, Colo. – The judge in the Aurora theater rampage case is expected to decide Tuesday whether to allow James E. Holmes to change his plea from not guilty to not guilty by reason of insanity.

Judge Carlos Samour Jr. of the state’s 18th Judicial District is considered likely to accept the new plea at a court hearing.

If so, the clock will start on a series of court-ordered psychological tests to determine Holmes’ mental state at the time of last summer’s massacre in a packed movie theater.

Holmes, 25, is charged with 116 counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder and weapons charges in the deadly rampage on July 20 that killed 12 people and injured 70 others.

The charges could carry the death penalty. But if doctors conclude that Holmes, a former neuroscience doctoral student at the University of Colorado-Denver, was insane or had a mental defect that made him unable to distinguish right from wrong at the time of the shooting, by law he cannot be put to death.

In March, Chief District Judge William Sylvester entered a traditional not guilty plea on Holmes’ behalf after the defense said it was not prepared to advise Holmes how to plea. The defense argued it could not proceed without knowing whether the district attorney would seek the death penalty.

Three weeks later, on April 1, Dist. Atty. George Brauchler announced that “justice is death” for Holmes.

Court documents show the defense had previously offered to have Holmes plead guilty and serve life in prison without the possibility of parole if the district attorney took the death penalty off the table.

Sylvester told the defense it could change the plea to not guilty by reason of insanity but would have to show why the change was warranted. Samour took over the case from Sylvester in April.

Last month, the defense team said it had only recently received a firm diagnosis of Holmes’ mental condition. That diagnosis was not revealed.

In addition to the change of plea, the contentious issue of doctor-patient privilege is expected to return Tuesday.
More...

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57587524/judge-accepts-insanity-plea-in-colo-shooting-case/
Judge accepts insanity plea in Colo. shooting case
June 4, 2013

CENTENNIAL, COLO. A judge on Tuesday accepted James Holmes' plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, setting the stage for a lengthy mental evaluation of the Colorado theater shooting suspect.

The court clerk placed a written advisory of the ground rules of the plea before Holmes so he could examine it as Judge Carlos Samour Jr. read through all 18 points.

When Samour asked if he had any questions, Holmes replied no. Samour then accepted the plea.
"I find Mr. Holmes understands the effects and consequences of the not guilty by reason of insanity plea," the judge said. "He was looking at the advisement and appeared to be following along."
 ::snipping3::
Holmes' lawyers repeatedly have said he is mentally ill, but they delayed the insanity plea while arguing state laws were unconstitutional. They said the laws could hobble the defense if Holmes' case should ever reach the phase where the jury decides if he should be executed.

The judge rejected that argument last week.
 ::snipping3::
Prosecutors say Holmes spent months buying weapons, ammunition and materials for explosives and scouted the theater in advance. He donned police-style body armor, tossed a gas canister into the seats and opened fire, they say.

The insanity plea is widely seen as Holmes' best chance of avoiding execution, and possibly his only chance, given the weight of the evidence against him.
But his lawyers delayed it for weeks, saying Colorado's laws on the insanity plea and the death penalty could work in combination to violate his constitutional rights.

The laws state that if Holmes does not cooperate with doctors conducting a mandatory mental evaluation, he would lose the right to call expert witnesses to testify about his sanity during the penalty phase of his trial. Defense lawyers argued that is an unconstitutional restriction on his right to build a defense. They also contended the law doesn't define cooperation.

Samour rejected those arguments last week and said the laws are constitutional.

The next step is an evaluation of Holmes by state doctors to determine whether he was insane at the time of the shootings. That could take months.

Colorado law defines insanity as the inability to distinguish right from wrong caused by a diseased or defective mind.

If jurors find Holmes not guilty by reason of insanity, he would be committed indefinitely to the state mental hospital. He could eventually be released if doctors find his sanity has been restored, but that is considered unlikely.

If jurors convict him, the next step is the penalty phase, during which both sides call witnesses to testify about factors that could affect why Holmes should or shouldn't be executed.

The jury would then decide whether Holmes should be executed or sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole.

If jurors impose the death penalty, it would trigger court appeals and open other possibilities that would take years to resolve.

http://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Judge-accepts-insanity-plea-in-Colo-shooting-case-4573974.php
Prosecutors can have Colo. shooting case notebook
June 4, 2013

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (AP) — A judge says prosecutors can have access to a notebook Colorado theater shooting suspect James Holmes sent to a psychiatrist before last summer's rampage.

Judge Carlos Samour ruled Tuesday after accepting a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity from Holmes. He ordered the notebook to be turned over next week.
 ::snipping3::
Defense lawyers argued psychiatrist Lynne Fenton never received the notebook so prosecutors shouldn't have access to it.

Prosecutors say police would like to do unspecified "additional processing" on the notebook.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/06/16/3500-holmes-jury/2428839/
Judge: 3,500 could be summoned for Holmes jury
June 16, 2013

DENVER (AP) — As many as 3,500 prospective jurors will be summoned when Colorado theater shooting suspect James Holmes goes on trial, another measure of the complexity and sensitivity of the case.

Judge Carlos A. Samour Jr. included the estimate in a ruling dated Friday. The ruling granted a defense request to have all prospective jurors fill out questionnaires before they are questioned by lawyers.

Holmes is charged with more than 160 counts of murder and attempted murder. He is accused of planning and executing an assault on a packed movie theater in a Denver suburb in July, killing 12 people and injuring 70.

Among the dead were a 51-year-old father who had gone to the theater with his two teenage children. They escaped with no physical injuries.

Holmes has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity and will undergo a mental evaluation at the state hospital before the trial.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

The trial is scheduled to begin Feb. 3, and since jurors will wield life-and-death power over Holmes, jury selection is likely to be slow, painstaking and contentious.

Once they are chosen, the jurors will be asked to weigh a staggering amount of evidence.

Prosecutors needed 2 1/2 days to present a rough outline of their case at a preliminary hearing in January, calling witnesses and showing photos and documents that pointed toward an intricately planned assault.

The case has generated nearly 40,000 pages of evidence, and more is on the way. This month, the judge granted prosecutors access to a notebook Holmes had sent a psychiatrist before the shootings. A receipt filed with the court shows the notebook was turned over to police on June 10.
 ::snipping3::
For its part, the defense has filed more than 130 motions to date, and the deadline for motions about the death penalty is still more than three months away.

Defense lawyers have said they plan to seek a change of venue because of pretrial publicity.