CENTENNIAL — University of Colorado officials say they will be mostly mum during the Aurora movie theater shooting trial, which is expected to reveal new details about the gunman’s time on campus.
James Holmes was a neuroscience student on the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus. His — in which he failed key exams and allegedly made threats to a psychiatrist — are expected to provide key details for both sides during the trial.
Some CU officials and students will likely testify at trial. But in a letter sent this month to CU staff, campus chancellor Donald Elliman said campus officials would avoid commenting outside the courthouse on information revealed at trial.
“We recognize that limiting our commentary and the information we disseminate during the trial may be frustrating for the public, the media and for us,” Elliman wrote in the letter. “But there is a higher purpose. We hope the public, media and university community will understand that we must not interfere with the judicial process.”
During a meeting Monday with The Denver Post editorial board, Elliman clarified that CU officials might respond if some information presented during the trial is inaccurate or lacks context. But Elliman said he doesn’t want to undermine the trial.
“Our No. 1 priority is to protect the integrity of the trial,” he said.
Holmes has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to charges that he murdered 12 people and tried to kill 70 others inside the Century Aurora 16 movie theater in July 2012. will be closely watched at trial.
The widow of Jonathan Blunk, who was killed in the theater, CU and Holmes’ psychiatrist prior to the attack. That lawsuit , awaiting the conclusion of the criminal trial.
