James Holmes, the suspect in the Colorado cinema massacre is in court today facing formal charges over killing 12 people and injuring 58 others during a midnight screening of the latest Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises.

Holmes was arrested in the parking area behind the cinema after police identified him as the gunman. When later attempting to enter his apartment, they found the place booby trapped with enough explosives to demolish the building.

Holmes could be charged with the attempted murder of everyone who was in the cinema at the time, as well as up to two counts of first degree murder for each of the 12 he allegedly killed.

The case is expected to revolve around the issue of Holmes' sanity, according to legal experts. Holmes was being treated by a University of Colorado psychiatrist, Lynne Fenton, who received a package from the suspect reportedly explaining his intended actions and included stick figure drawings of a gunman shooting people. If convicted, lawyers could assert insanity as a defence in the hope that Holmes avoids the death penalty.

I'm Alfred Joyner. For the latest news headlines, go to our website, IBTimes.co.uk

Written and presented by Alfred Joyner