By DAN ELLIOTT
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (AP) - A police officer who arrested James Holmes after the Colorado movie theater massacre thought he was a fellow officer at first because of the man was wearing body armor.

The officer then realized Holmes wasn't since he wasn't running toward the theater.

The officer and a colleague testified at a preliminary hearing Monday that Holmes seemed detached and volunteered that his apartment had been booby trapped.

Prosecutors are laying out their case against the former neuroscience graduate student at the hearing.

Investigators say Holmes tossed two gas canisters and then opened fire during the midnight showing of the Batman movie "The Dark Knight Rises" on July 20, killing 12 people and wounding dozens.

The hearing is expected to last all week.
 

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By DAN ELLIOTT
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (AP) - Police officers who arrested James Holmes after the Colorado movie theater massacre described the suspected gunman as unusually relaxed but fidgety at times.

They also said at a preliminary hearing Monday that Holmes was clad in body armor, seemed detached and volunteered that his apartment had been booby trapped.

Prosecutors are laying out their case against the former neuroscience graduate student at the hearing.

Investigators say Holmes tossed two gas canisters and then opened fire during the midnight showing of the Batman movie "The Dark Knight Rises" on July 20, killing 12 people and wounding dozens.

The hearing is expected to last all week and will allow the judge to determine whether the prosecution's case is strong enough to warrant a trial.
 

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CENTENNIAL, Colo. (AP) - Prosecutors in Colorado are laying out their case against James Holmes, accused in the shooting rampage at a suburban Denver movie theater that left 12 people dead and dozens more wounded.

   Holmes is facing more than 160 counts, including murder and attempted murder.

   The preliminary hearing that began today is expected to last all week. It will allow a judge to determine whether the prosecution's case is strong enough to warrant a trial. But legal analysts say the evidence appears to be so strong that Holmes may accept a plea agreement before a trial can take place.

   Family members of the victims and people who were injured in the shooting were lined up for seats in the courtroom before the hearing began.

   The hearing will bring the first detailed public disclosure of the evidence against Holmes.

   His attorneys have told the judge that he's mentally ill, but they haven't said whether they plan to use an insanity defense.

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CENTENNIAL, Colo. (AP) - A preliminary hearing is set to begin today for the former graduate student accused of killing 12 people and wounding dozens in a July attack on a movie theater in Aurora, Colo.

James Holmes is charged with more than 160 counts, including murder and attempted murder.

The hearing is expected to take all week. Afterward, the judge will rule whether the evidence is sufficient to put Holmes on trial.

Legal analysts say the hearing could set the stage for a negotiated plea agreement by giving each side a better understanding of the other's case.

Many survivors and family members of the dead are expected to attend.

Copyright © 2013 Associated Press