CENTENNIAL, Colo. (AP) -- His hair dyed a shocking comic-book shade of orange-red, James Holmes showed up in court for the first time, but didn't seem to be there at all.
The world's first look at the man accused of killing 12 moviegoers and injuring 58 others in a shooting rampage at a packed midnight screening of the new Batman film was that of a sleepy, seemingly inattentive suspect.
Holmes shuffled into court Monday in a maroon jailhouse jumpsuit with his hands cuffed. Unshaven and appearing dazed, Holmes sat virtually motionless, his eyes drooping as the judge advised him of the severity of the case. At one point, Holmes simply closed his eyes.
He never said a word.
(20 images)
A man holds his face in his hands in front of a memorial after a prayer vigil Sunday, July 22, 2012 in Aurora, Colo. Twelve people were killed and over 50 wounded in a shooting attack early Friday at the packed theater during a showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Police have identified the suspected shooter as James Holmes, 24. AP / Alex Brandon
James E. Holmes, left, appears in Arapahoe County District Court, with defense attorney Tamara Brady, right, Monday, July 23, 2012, in Centennial, Colo. Holmes is being held on suspicion of first-degree murder, and could also face additional counts of aggravated assault and weapons violations stemming from a mass shooting on Friday, July 20, in a movie theater in Aurora, Colo., that killed 12 and injured dozens of others. Pool The Denver Post / RJ Sangosti
The sun rises between flags placed at a memorial near the the Century 16 movie theater Sunday, July 22, 2012, in Aurora, Colo. AP / Alex Brandon
People attend a prayer vigil for the victims of the Century 16 Theater shooting at the Aurora Municipal Center campus in Aurora, Colo. Sunday, July 22, 2012. Pool The Denver Post / Joe Amon
Serenity Brydon, 7, places a rosary around a bear at a memorial near the the Century 16 movie theater Sunday, July 22, 2012, in Aurora, Colo. AP / Alex Brandon
Family members of the victims of the Century 16 theater shooting remember their loved ones during a vigil at the Aurora Municipal Center campus in Aurora, Colo. Sunday, July 22, 2012. Pool The Denver Post / AAron Ontiveroz
Family members of the victims of Friday's mass shooting in Aurora, Colo., comfort each other, Sunday, July 22, 2012, in Aurora, Colo., during a prayer vigil for the victims. AP / Ted S. Warren
A woman leaves flowers at a memorial on Sunday, July 22, 2012, near the Century 16 movie theater where twelve people were killed and 59 others injured at a midnight showing of 'The Dark Knight Rises' early Friday.
ZUMA24.com / Yang Lei
President Barack Obama hugs Stephanie Daies, who helped keep her friend, Allie Young, left, alive after she was shot during the movie theatre shootings in Aurora. President Obama visited survivors of the Colorado theatre massacre on Sunday, July 22, 2012.
ZUMA24.com / Rex Features
From left, Tylecia Amos, 14, Shatyra Amos, 15, Michael Walker, 17, and Mykia Walker, 16, carry flowers to lay at a makeshift memorial across the street from the Century Theater parking lot, on Saturday, July 21, 2012 in Aurora, Colo. AP / Barry Gutierrez
FBI agents photograph the bedroom in the apartment of alleged gunman James Holmes with a poster titled "Soldiers of Misfortune" Saturday, July 21, 2012 in Aurora, Colo. AP / Alex Brandon
Members of law enforcement wearing body armor and helmets prepare to what ATF sources describe as a"water shot" in the apartment of alleged gunman James Holmes Saturday, July 21, 2012 in Aurora , Colo. AP / Alex Brandon
People attending a candle-light prayer gathering sit comfort each other, Friday, July 20, 2012, in Aurora, Colo., across the street from the movie theater where a gunman killed at least 12 people and wounded dozens of others Friday in one of the deadliest mass shootings in recent U.S. history. AP / Ted S. Warren
Maria Davila holds her daughter Alexia, 9, during a candle-light vigil, Friday, July 20, 2012, in Aurora, Colo., across the street from the movie theater where a gunman killed at least 12 people and wounded dozens of others Friday in one of the deadliest mass shootings in recent U.S. history. AP / Ted S. Warren
A man reacts after arriving at Children's Hospital in Aurora, Co., Friday, July 20, 2012. The Denver Post / Craig F. Walker
Jacob Stevens, 18, hugs his mother Tammi Stevens after being interview by police outside Gateway High School where witness were brought for questioning after a shooting at a movie theater, Friday, July 20, 2012 in Denver. AP / Barry Gutierrez
Shamecca Davis hugs her son Isaiah Bow, who was an eye witness to the shooting, outside Gateway High School where witness were brought for questioning Friday, July 20, 2012 in Denver. After leaving the theater Bow went back in to find his girlfriend. " I didn't want to leave her in there. But she's ok now," Bow said. AP / Barry Gutierrez
Judy Goos, center left, hugs her daughter's friend, Isaiah Bow, 20, while eyewitnesses Emma Goos, 19, left, and Terrell Wallin, 20, right, gather outside Gateway High School where witnesses were brought for questioning Friday, July 20, 2012, in Aurora, Colo. AP / Barry Gutierrez
Tom Sullivan, center, embraces family members outside Gateway High School where he has been searching franticly for his son Alex Sullivan who celebrated his 27th birthday by going to see "The Dark Knight Rises," movie where a gunman opened fire Friday, July 20, 2012, in Aurora, Colo. AP / Barry Gutierrez
People gather outside the Century 16 movie theatre in Aurora, Colo., at the scene of a mass shooting early Friday morning, July 20, 2012. The Denver Post / Karl Gehring
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.