Judge orders new psychiatric evaluation for James Holmes

AURORA, Colo., Feb. 20 (UPI) -- A judge has ordered a second psychiatric evaluation for James Holmes, the accused killer of 12 people inside an Aurora, Colo., movie theater.

Arapahoe County District Court Judge Carlos Samour said the first evaluation by Dr. Jeffrey Metzner was "incomplete and inadequate," agreeing with an assessment with prosecutors, the Denver Post reported Wednesday.

"[A]lthough Dr. Metzner collected and documented a lot of factual information as part of his examination, he offered little rationale for some of his opinions and findings," Samour wrote. "The bases for Dr. Metzner's opinion regarding the issue of sanity are just as important to the truth-finding process as the opinion itself."

Samour ordered officials at the Colorado Mental Health Institute to pick a new doctor for the second evaluation, rejecting the prosecution's request to hire their own doctor, the Post said. Samour said the evaluation should be completed by July 11, which will significantly delay the case's trial.

Samour said he hopes to set a new trial date next week.

Holmes pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to charges he shot to death 12 people during a midnight showing of the Batman sequel "The Dark Knight Rises" in a movie theater in July 2012. Dozens of others were injured in the attack.