HOUSTON – The bright red-orange hair and vacant stares from James Holmes in court Monday had millions fixed to their televisions. Houstonians spoke out about Holmes' appearance and behavior.
Holmes did not speak but his hair color, vacant eyes and occasional glances down, were enough to make Sherry Atkins question his sanity.
"I just don't understand how someone could do that," she said. "I always think, 'What part of their brain isn't working so that they would disvalue human life so much?'"
Given his academic background and the months of planning investigators said Holmes allegedly put into the shooting, Greg Dehmer wondered if this court appearance is just another dramatic act for Holmes.
"His expression that he was making ... I don't know if he trying to plead like he's insane," Dehmer said.
According to investigators, it could take months to understand what motivated Holmes to allegedly commit these crimes.