Colorado shooting suspect James Holmes charged with 24 counts of murder

James Holmes, the man accused of opening fire inside an Aurora, Colorado, movie theater was back in court Monday to formally face charges for the July 20 massacre that killed 12 and wounded 58 others.

During the hearing which lasted less than an hour, prosecutors charged the 24-year-old PHD student with 12 counts of first-degree murder, 12 counts of murder with extreme indifference and 116 counts of attempted murder.

He was also charged with one count of possession of an explosive and one count of assault with a deadly weapon.

In contrast to Holmes' first appearance in court last Monday, no cameras were permitted in the courtroom but, according to ABC News, Holmes appeared wearing a maroon colored jumpsuit, his hair still dyed an orange-pink color, and similar loopy mannerisms to his first appearance in court. Throughout the hearing, Holmes' eyes sporadically grew wider as he raised his eyebrows, stared blankly around the room, and then stared down into his lap.

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He spoke once, when the judge asked him whether he wanted to waive his right to a preliminary hearing within 30 days, answering simply, "Yes."

Denver Post reporter John Ingold tweeted that "Holmes was more put together today. His hair was combed — though still red. He seemed to pay attention. Not quite engaged, but listening."

According to the Associated Press, the judge also heard arguments today about a defence motion to find out who leaked information to the media about a package the 24-year-old Holmes allegedly sent to his psychiatrist at the university.

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Authorities seized the package July 23 after finding it in the mailroom of the medical campus where Holmes studied. Several media outlets reported that it contained a notebook with descriptions of an attack, but Arapahoe County District Attorney Carol Chambers said in court papers that the parcel hadn't been opened by the time the "inaccurate" news reports appeared.

A decision on the arguments was not reached, though prosecutors were ordered to turn over the notebook to defence attorneys.

Security was tight for Monday's hearing with armed officers were stationed on the roof of both buildings at the court complex, and law enforcement vehicles blocking entrances to the buildings.

Holmes' next court appearance is set for August 9th.