Prosecutors give up on Holmes's notebook

2012-09-21 08:04

James Holmes. (Arapahoe County Sheriff/ AP)

Centennial — For the first time with hair that's brown instead of a wild shade of orangish-red, the suspect in Colorado's cinema shooting that left 12 people dead appeared in court on Thursday as prosecutors gave up their fight to see a notebook he sent to a university psychiatrist, saying they didn't want to delay proceedings.

James Holmes appeared more animated during the hearing. He smiled and glanced around the courtroom, looking at his lawyers and reporters covering the hearing. He appeared to be moving his mouth but not actually talking.

Defence attorneys say Holmes is mentally ill and that the notebook, sent to Dr  Lynne Fenton, shouldn't be released because of doctor-patient privilege. Fenton last saw Holmes professionally on 11 June before seeing him again in court on 30 August.

Prosecutors argued that the notebook and its contents are fair game. He planned to be dead or in prison after the shooting rampage at an opening night showing of The Dark Knight Rises, they said, and had no plans to undergo therapy.

But Deputy District Attorney Rich Orman said even if prosecutors convinced the judge the notebook isn't protected, defence attorneys would likely appeal the decision.

"We still think we have good and compelling evidence that the notebook should not be privileged," Orman said, adding that because of possible delays, "we're not asking to look at it".

'Putting on a show'

If Holmes' mental health becomes an issue in the case, Orman said Holmes would have to waive privilege and prosecutors likely would gain access to the notebook, which remains in the custody of the court.

Arapahoe County District Judge William B Sylvester approved a procedure for Holmes' defence team to examine the notebook, which includes having a police officer present in the room.

"His notebook, his sketches, his drawings, everything should be made public so we can learn from it and prevent this from happening again," said Greg Medek, whose daughter Micayla, aged 23, died in the shooting. "He's just putting on a show. I don't think he's crazy. He's just evil."

Holmes has been charged with 142 counts, including murder and attempted murder, stemming from the 20 July attack at an Aurora cinema that killed 12 and wounded 58 others.

Judge Sylvester on Thursday approved prosecutors' request to add 10 additional attempted murder charges and amend 17 others. Documents released on Thursday show names were changed or corrected on some charges.

The hearing was cut short by the prosecution's decision not to seek the notebook, which purportedly contains descriptions of a violent attack.

'Implied waiver'

Former Denver prosecutor Karen Steinhauser said prosecutors want the notebook to bolster their case that the shooting was deliberately planned and carried out by a sane person.

But should Holmes plead insanity, prosecutors would have the right to materials, including the notebook, which the examining psychiatrist would have used to form a professional opinion about Holmes' sanity.

If Holmes is considered mentally ill, but competent to stand trial, the notebook could remain off limits to the prosecution.

Steinhauser also said prosecutors might be able to gain access to the notebook through an "implied waiver" of privilege should Holmes talk about its contents to inmates or jail guards.

"They [prosecutors] believe they will ultimately have access to that notebook," said Steinhauser, who is also a law professor at the University of Denver. "They want to keep this case moving."

- AP