James Holmes sitting during a court trial (Associated Press)

From NYDaily News:

“A judge in the case previously entered a standard “not guilty” plea for Holmes, and Colorado prosecutors have indicated they will seek the death penalty for the former graduate student. Prosecutors have described the slayings at the showing of the Batman movie “The Dark Knight Rises” as “especially heinous, cruel or depraved.”

READ MORE: James Holmes May Plead Guilty To Avoid Death Penalty

The reason for the recent change is due to the relationship between the death penalty and insanity laws in Colorado. The judge overseeing the case elaborated that Holmes will have to provide a reasonable “good cause” to establish his insanity plea for the upcoming trial. 

If Holmes is acquitted with his reason, he will be scheduled for a psychological assessment to determine whether or not he was clinically insane at the time of his shooting.

From ABC News:

Families of the victims and people injured in the shooting who have observed Holmes in court say they do not believe he is insane.

“He planned it out, disguised himself and planted bombs which were waiting for the police,” former prosecutor Grant told ABC News. “He knew what he was doing.”

Denver defense attorney Larry Pozner said he believes Holmes will eventually face trial.

“I think we’re about to waste millions of dollars of taxpayer money,” Pozner said. “He offered to plead guilty and go to jail for the rest of his life. Does anybody think he was in his right mind that night?”

Holmes is expected to plead not guilty by reason of insanity at his upcoming trial on May 18th, 2013.

Read more of Neon Tommy’s coverage on James Holmes here.

Reach Executive Producer Eric Parra here.