The challenges of prosecuting and defending Aurora shooting suspect

James E. Holmes
James E. Holmes, left, appears in Arapahoe County District Court, with defense attorney Tamara Brady, right, Monday, July 23, 2012, in Centennial, Colo. Holmes is being held on suspicion of first-degree murder, and could also face additional counts of aggravated assault and weapons violations stemming from a mass shooting on Friday, July 20, in a movie theater in Aurora, Colo., that killed 12 and injured dozens of others.
RJ Sangosti/AP

Criminal law expert and Drexel University professor Daniel Filler will join The Daily Circuit Wednesday to discuss the challenges for both the prosecution and the defense in the Aurora shooting.

From the Associated Press:

His hair dyed a shocking comic-book shade of orange-red, James Holmes showed up in court for the first time, but didn't seem to be there at all.

The world's first look at the man accused of killing 12 moviegoers and injuring 58 others in a shooting rampage at a packed midnight screening of the new Batman film was that of a sleepy, seemingly inattentive suspect.

Holmes shuffled into court Monday in a maroon jailhouse jumpsuit with his hands cuffed. Unshaven and appearing dazed, Holmes sat virtually motionless, his eyes drooping as the judge advised him of the severity of the case. At one point, Holmes simply closed his eyes.

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