James Holmes Called Colorado School Nine Minutes Before Shooting
James Holmes contacted a University of Colorado switchboard just nine minutes before he allegedly opened fire at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado on July 20, according to public defender Tamara Brady on Thursday.
Brady added that the number that Holmes called can be used to get in contact with faculty members during off hours, reports CNN. Holmes, 24, has been charged with opening fire during a midnight premiere of The Dark Knight Rises, killing 12 people and injuring 58 others.
Holmes was charged with murder and attempted murder along with two weapons charges. The alleged shooter appeared before a packed court hearing on Thursday, which included survivors of the horrific shooting.
Dr. Lynne Fenton, James Holmes’ psychiatrist, testified that her contact with the alleged shooter ended on June 11 but that she contacted campus police later because she was “so concerned” about their talk during their last meeting, although she did not elaborate.
The New York Daily News notes that it is not clear why James Holmes called the University of Colorado switchboard, although it is believed that he was trying to reach Dr. Fenton. Holmes also mailed a package containing a notebook to Fenton, which reportedly contains violent descriptions of an attack.
Prosecutors have asked a judge to allow them to review the notebook for their investigation, but defense attorneys have argued that the notebook is protected by doctor-patient privacy laws.
Dr. Fenton testified on Thursday that June 11 was their only meeting, and she believed that the doctor-patient privilege was limited to that day. Chief Deputy District Attorney Karen Pearson asked Fenton if she had a doctor-patient relationship with Holmes when he mailed her the package on July 19.
Fenton responded that she didn’t, but defense attorneys presented the judge with a “client summary” that Fenton filled out, arguing that the document establishes an ongoing confidential relationship with the alleged shooter.
When she was asked if she knew James Holmes called the Colorado school’s switchboard nine minutes before the attack, Dr. Fenton responded that she was not aware of the call.
