CENTENNIAL, Colo. — Arapahoe County District Court Judge Carlos Samour Jr. denied a motion to delay the Aurora theater shooting case and 9,000 jury summonses will be issued Thursday.
Defense attorneys for James Holmes sought more time to go over a doctor’s report that evaluated their client’s sanity. The defense also cited unspecified medical emergencies involving one of the lawyers and an investigator have slowed their preparation.
Samour said the court would not grant the motion based on “we’re not ready. We need more time to get ready.”
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“Because the Court has absolutely no doubt that defense counsel can be ready to proceed to trial on January 20, the motion fails,” Samour wrote in his ruling. “This case has been pending for an extended period of time – two and a half years to be exact — and defense counsel have dedicated such extensive resources and manpower to the case to be able to provide the defendant not only effective assistance, but outstanding assistance, at the January 20 trial. Simply put, it is time for this case to proceed to trial.”
The start trial, which has been changed five times, is scheduled for Jan. 20 with jury selection. Twelve jurors and 12 alternates will be chosen.
Holmes has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to 166 charges of killing 12 people and injuring 70 in the July 20, 2012, shooting at the midnight showing of “The Dark Night Rises” at the Century Aurora 16 Multiplex Theater.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.