CNN News reports that James Holmes, accused murderer of the Colorado shootings
last Friday morning, sat in his first court hearing with a dazed look
washed over his face. Many theories are being formed that this man not
only has a few issues, but that he could potentially be a full blown psychopath.
It is said that while he sat there during the court hearing he never spoke
a word and was always staring blankly at the crowd. Witnesses also note
that at times his eyes would close and his head nod off; almost as though
he were falling asleep. He is being charged with showing up to the theatre
with three different weapons and intent to kill, which resulted in the
death of 12 victims and 58 wounded Batman movie viewers. The Colorado
authorities also discovered that his home was booby trapped with deadly
explosives. When forced to identify himself at the scene of the crime
James Holmes responded saying that he was “the Joker”, and
appeared to have the same motives of creating chaos in the theater as
Joker would have.
Holmes’ defense is pleading that he is a psychopath, and has been
suffering from it for a long time now. They also propose the likelihood
of being under the influence of some form of drug or medication the night
of the massacre. Forensic Psychiatrist, Dr. Mark Levy has explained that
the blank expression on Holmes’ face coincides with that of a psychotic
break; often it is a response in which a person can then disconnect themselves
from reality in order to live out their fantasy, in this case multiple
murders. Holmes’ defense attorney claims that they need to take
time in this investigation against his client in order to allow the bewilderment
phase wear off of Holmes, perhaps leading to further information, believing
that mental illness may be the reasoning behind his actions. Others claim
to believe that he is playing out his “psychosis” in order
to receive sentencing in a mental ward rather than a prison.