he is crazy

Colorado theater shooting suspect makes first court appearance

By Chelsea J. Carter and Tom Watkins, CNN

updated 12:53 PM EDT, Mon July 23, 2012

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Suspect James Holmes made his first court appearance Monday morning
• Authorities say the suspect planned the attack months in advance
• Arapahoe County public defender James O'Connor has been assigned to the case
• Suspect's family is expected to comment

Aurora, Colorado (CNN) -- The man accused of opening fire Friday in a packed movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, made his first court appearance Monday, giving the public its first look at the 24-year-old former doctoral candidate since his arrest.

James E. Holmes, his hair dyed various shades of red, looked downward, then straight ahead. He sat without blinking for long periods. At times, his eyes fluttered, then squeezed tight and reopened in a blank stare. Occasionally, his eyebrows arched over several days of stubble, giving his face a mournful mien.

But the man who identified himself to police as "The Joker," dressed in a maroon jumpsuit over a white T-shirt, gave little indication that he was paying attention to the courtroom procedure that ensured he will continue to be held without bond.

He was then led from the courtroom and back to the Arapahoe County Jail, where he is being held in isolation.