James Holmes' lawyers don't want cameras in courtroom for accused shooter's plea
Holmes sits with his attorney Tamara Brady in the courtroom on Dec. 10. (Sketch artist: Bill Robles)
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Posted: 02/04/2013
Last Updated:
133 days ago
AURORA, Colo. - James Holmes' lawyers don't want cameras in the courtroom when the accused movie theater shooter enters his plea in March.
In a filing made public Monday, Homes' attorneys said allowing cameras would violate Holmes' rights to a fair trial.
"Granting such requests would jeopardize Mr. Holmes' constitutional rights to due process, a fair trial, to be presumed innocent, and to a fair and impartial jury," the document says.
Judge William Sylvester apparently disagreed, deciding to allow 2 cameras during Holmes' arraignment. One will be allowed to record video and another will be allowed to take still photos. No audio can be recorded.
Holmes is charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder in the July 20 shootings at a suburban Denver movie theater. Twelve people were killed and 70 were injured.
Holmes is scheduled to enter a plea during an arraignment hearing on March 12. Arraignments and initial appearances are the only pretrial hearings in which cameras are allowed in courtrooms under Colorado law.
Cameras were allowed in court during his July 23 initial appearance.
Copyright 2013 Scripps Media, Inc. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.