CENTENNIAL | Defense attorneys told a judge at an emergency hearing Wednesday afternoon that Aurora theater shooting suspect James Holmes was hospitalized sometime yesterday for an undisclosed reason and was unable to attend a scheduled motions hearing on Thursday.
While Holmes’ defense attorneys cited medical privacy as the reason for withholding information about the nature of the illness, they did say the issue was “not as simple as a migraine.”
Arapahoe County district court Judge William Sylvester didn’t require the defense to explain the illness and postponed the Thursday morning hearing.
Prosecutor Rich Orman opposed the delay, asking the defense for more information regarding Holmes’ condition. Orman also said that nearly all of the victims contacted opposed the delay, although none were in court for the emergency hearing.
Defense attorneys would not say if Holmes was still hospitalized, and if he is, where, and when he would be expected to be discharged, adding only that it was clear he would be unable to attend the Thursday hearing.
Holmes is accused of opening fire during a midnight showing of “The Dark Knight Rises” on July 20 at the Century Aurora 16. Twelve people were killed and at least 58 were wounded.
How convenient for defense attorneys and defendant. . he’s got a good deal going, Arapahoe County housing and feeding him and now paying for his hospitalization. . does it seem like he has more rights than those not accused of a crime?