Defense asks for more time in Colorado shooting case

— A hearing to decide if accused Colorado theater shooter James Holmes should stand trial might not be held until January.

A lawyer for Holmes told the judge in the case Thursday that the defense must review thousands of pages of evidence before a preliminary hearing can be held. That preliminary hearing is currently scheduled for November.

Prosecutors said they, too, could use more time to gather evidence.

Judge William Sylvester says he’ll decide later this month whether to delay the hearing until January. The hearing will consist of a public airing of evidence against Holmes.

The 24-year-old is charged with killing 12 people and wounding 58 others in the July 20 shooting in Aurora. He has yet to enter a plea.

Also Thursday, mediator Ken Feinberg begins meeting with shooting victims and their families as he decides how to distribute $5 million in charitable donations to them.

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