Lawyers ready for key hearing in theater shooting

Prosecutors and defense lawyers said they’re ready for a crucial hearing next week in which prosecutors will outline their case against Colorado theater shooting suspect James Holmes.

During a hearing Wednesday, prosecutors and defense lawyers also discussed with Judge William Sylvester a sealed motion from the prosecution that made some reference to witnesses. Sylvester said he planned to rule on it later in the day but wouldn’t refer to witnesses by name.

Holmes didn’t say anything during the half-hour hearing.

The next hearing starts Monday and is scheduled to run all week. At its conclusion, Sylvester will decide if the evidence is sufficient to put Holmes on trial.

Holmes is charged with killing 12 people and wounding 70 during a midnight showing of the Batman movie “The Dark Night Rises” on July 20.