JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- With flaming red hair and a dazed expression on his face, James Holmes made his first appearance in court Monday.
Were we looking into the face of a truly deranged man? Or thrill killer looking to put on a show? We asked the opinion of local attorney Randy Reep.
"His reaction, his behavior is not uncommon to what we see on a daily basis when someone is arrested for the first time," said Reep.
He said Holmes could be legitimately disoriented because he's out of his element. He's been in jail and constantly questioned for three days now. But many people wonder if Holmes acted this way on purpose, possibly setting himself up for an insanity defense. Reep said he doubts that. "Setting up for it? I mean, he went into a theater and shot 70-something people. I mean, that's not normal."
He said it will be up to a doctor to decide whether Holmes is insane and possibly up to a jury to decide that's a viable defense. "As far as this behavior, I don't think that's a contrived for the purposes of his defense. I think you're looking at an extraordinarily troubled man," said Reep.
Holmes is due in court again next Monday.
