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Odd behavior contrasts with a methodical attack

James Holmes in court three days after the July attack that killed 12 and injured 58. (R.J. SANGOSTI / Denver Post)

This courtroom sketch shows James Holmes being escorted by a deputy as he arrives at preliminary hearing in district court in Centennial, Colo., on Monday, Jan. 7, 2013. Investigators say Holmes opened fire during the midnight showing of the latest Batman movie on July 20, killing 12 people and wounding dozens. (AP Photo/Bill Robles, Pool) TV OUT

GALLERY: This courtroom sketch shows James Holmes being escorted… (Bill Robles )

His lawyers say the suspect is mentally ill. Prosecutors point to long planning in the Aurora theater killings.

By Dan Elliott, Associated Press

Posted: January 10, 2013

CENTENNIAL, Colo. - It was hours after a deadly Colorado theater shooting, and James Holmes was not acting like a man who methodically planned the attack and booby-trapped his apartment.

As a police detective interviewed him, Holmes started pretending the paper bags on his hands - meant to preserve gunshot residue - were puppets.

The former neuroscience graduate student tried to jam a staple into an electrical outlet. He played with a cup on the table. At least two officers noted that his eyes were dilated.

The description came Tuesday as prosecutors tried to show that Holmes should face a trial for the July 20 attack that killed 12 and injured 58.

Defense attorneys say Holmes is mentally ill and have used their questions to try to make that point. They have not elaborated but plan to call at least two witnesses later in the week who could discuss Holmes' mental health.

The description given by detective Craig Appel seemed at odds with prosecutors' attempts to show Holmes as a methodical man who spent two months assembling his arsenal.

The first recorded purchase: two tear-gas grenades, ordered online May 10. Holmes also bought two Glock handguns, a shotgun, and an AR-15 rifle, along with 6,295 rounds of ammunition, targets, body armor, and chemicals, prosecutors said.

Holmes' purchases were split between two planned attacks, prosecutors said - the theater shooting and a booby-trapped apartment that would have blown up if anyone had entered.

Police said Holmes volunteered information about the booby traps. Authorities went to his apartment and carefully dismantled them.

If Holmes is found sane and goes to trial and is convicted, his attorneys can try to stave off a possible death penalty by arguing he is mentally ill. Prosecutors have yet to decide whether to seek the death penalty.

If he is found not guilty by reason of insanity, he would likely be sent to the state mental hospital, not prison.