DENVER | The trial in the Aurora theater shootings case has been delayed again because the second sanity evaluation of defendant James Holmes will take more time than expected.
The judge ordered the postponement on Wednesday but did not set a new date.
The trial had been scheduled to start with jury selection on Oct. 14, but the state mental hospital said it would need until Oct. 15 to complete the second evaluation and submit a report.
The report had been due Aug. 15.
In his order delaying the trial, Judge Carlos Samour, Jr. said he expects victims to object to the delay, but said he had little a choice.
“This is a complicated and voluminous case, and it is important that the second examination is adequate and complete,” he wrote.
Samour said the two sides will discuss a possible trial date at the next court appearance, which is slated for July 22.
Holmes has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to charges of killing 12 people and injuring 70 in the July 2012 attack. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Aurora Sentinel reporter Brandon Johansson contributed to this report.