Judge: Colo. shooting suspect James Holmes to face trial

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CENTENNIAL, Colo. -- After three days of testimony against theater shooting suspect James Holmes, a judge ruled late Thursday that there is ample evidence for him to face trial for the July movie theater shooting spree that killed 12 people and injured nearly 60.

Arapahoe County District Judge William Sylvester ordered a Friday arraignment hearing for Holmes, who faces more than 160 felony charges, virtually all for first-degree murder and attempted murder. Sylvester said that "the proof is evident or the presumption is great that (Holmes) committed the crimes charged."

Holmes, 25, remains held without bond. His defense team, while has frequently suggested an insanity defense, filed motions to delay the arraignment hearing.

PDF: Official court document

Arapahoe County prosecutors had presented overwhelming evidence against Holmes during the three-day hearing, including records that showed he had purchased guns used in the July 20 shooting, theater surveillance video showing him entering the movie complex about a half-hour before the shootings, and self-portraits taken with a cellphone just hours beforehand.

The pictures showed Holmes grinning, sticking out his tongue out and wearing black contact lenses while he held a handgun, assault rifle and homemade bomb. The last picture was of the array of weapons, tactical gear and munitions he began acquiring from local sporting goods stores and Internet dealers two months before the shootings.

MORE: Victim's dad: Holmes is playing us 'like a fiddle'

Aurora police also found photos on Holmes' cellphone that showed he had cased out the theater at least three times in the weeks before the attack.

Arapahoe County prosecutor Karen Pearson had said the photos, video, records of purchasing weapons and ammunition and other evidence show "deliberation and extreme indifference. ... He knew what he was doing.''

"He picked a perfect venue for his crime, where people were packed in and where there would be great difficulty for escape,'' she said Wednesday. "Had his (assault rifle) not jammed, he would have shot a lot more people. He had ample ammunition to do so."

Police said earlier in the hearing that Holmes purchased a ticket online July 8 for the July 20 midnight showing ofThe Dark Knight Rises.

On Tuesday, prosecutors played theater surveillance video that showed Holmes entering the theater shortly past midnight. Police say he later exited an emergency door, propped it open and went to his car in the rear parking lot, where he dressed in tactical gear and armed himself.

He then returned to the building and opened fire on the crowded theater.

Survivors of the shooting who attended this week's hearing said they were startled by Holmes' demeanor in the cellphone photos.

"It shows he had planned this all along, that he knew what he was doing,'' said Yousef Gharbi, who was shot in the right temple. He recalls wiping away blood before passing out. He later awoke in the hospital.

The 17-year-old high school senior came to court hoping to learn Holmes' motive. He didn't come away from the hearings with any answers, but says he hopes Holmes doesn't escape prison or a death sentence by pleading insanity.

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