Judge enters plea of not guilty for massacre accused

The judge in the Colorado cinema shooting case entered a not guilty plea on behalf of James Holmes yesterday after the former graduate student’s defence team said he was not ready to enter one.

If Holmes is convicted, he could be executed or spend the rest of his life in prison. Judge William Sylvester said Holmes, aged 25, later can change his plea to not guilty by reason of insanity if he wishes. Such a change could be the only way Holmes could avoid life in prison or execution.

Prosecutors, for their part, have not yet said whether they will pursue the death penalty, yesterday announcing that they will make their decision known on Apr 1.