(Cover) - EN Showbiz - James Holmes made his first appearance in court on Monday following the massacre in Aurora, Colorado last Friday.

The 24-year-old is accused of killing 12 and wounding 58 in a shooting spree during a showing of The Dark Knight Rises.

Holmes was seen acting strangely and had his eyes closed for a lot of the time and then opening them widely.

His bright orange hair was on clear display, said to be for his likeness of Batman's arch-nemesis, The Joker.

The charge of first degree murder is being considered for Holmes and prosecutors have not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty if he is convicted.

Holmes is being held on a no bail bond which means he will stay behind bars until his trial which is likely to be a year from now.

The judge presiding has also issued a protective order against the California native so he cannot contact any of the victim's families or witnesses.

Holmes is set to be formally charged on July 30. (C) Cover Media