Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

University Banned Holmes Over Threats

Accused shooter failed big exam before shooting, say prosecutors

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 23, 2012 5:29 PM CDT

(Newser) – Prosecutors in the Dark Night shooting spree case in Colorado made some eye-popping revelations today in their bid to get access to the education records of James Holmes, reports the Denver Post:

  • Holmes was banned from the University of Colorado after making unspecified threats about six weeks before the Aurora massacre. School officials cut off his key card and informed police.
  • All this took place around the time Holmes failed his crucial oral exams in neuroscience, and professors encouraged him to pursue a different career.
  • He bought a semi-automatic rifle the day of the exam.
  • The defense called this an irrelevant "fishing expedition," but a prosecutor countered that "what's going on in the defendant's life at this time is extremely important to the case."
  • Description of Holmes today by AP: He "appeared more engaged in the hearing than previous court appearances. His walk was more deliberate when he came in courtroom. Rather than staring blankly ahead, he looked at the judge for most of the hearing."

In this July 23 file photo, James E. Holmes appears in Arapahoe County District Court in Centennial, Colo.
In this July 23 file photo, James E. Holmes appears in Arapahoe County District Court in Centennial, Colo.   (AP Photo/Denver Post, RJ Sangosti, Pool, File)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
2%
6%
48%
3%
33%
8%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 35 comments
ren1999
Aug 23, 2012 9:41 PM CDT
Yes he was psychotic and maybe his family, friends didn't say anything? He rigged his dorm room with explosives and would have murdered people at the university too. Why didn't his roommates tell the police? The university called the police about him. Why didn't the police follow-up and check him out? All of these questions need to be answered. Why did one of his roommates threaten the police with violence if they didn't release him? Why did the police let his roommate go? Why did the police wait out in the parking lot. Now, lack of gas masks is not an appropriate answer. Why don't police have gas masks in their cars for situations such as fires and tear gas? Need answers.
SPHeroid
Aug 23, 2012 8:09 PM CDT
He "appeared more engaged in the hearing than previous court appearances. His walk was more deliberate when he came in courtroom. Rather than staring blankly ahead, he looked at the judge for most of the hearing.".... I do believe that Mr. Holmes has come to see what very deep shit he is in.....
HANKHILL
Aug 23, 2012 7:07 PM CDT
what in the hell is wrong with our system! there is no doubt that he did it! hang him and get it over with! the same goes for maj hassssend at fort hood! our system needs to be cleaned up asap!
 

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   World History Project   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne