The trial of James Holmes , accused in the mass shooting at an Aurora , Colorado , movie theater , has been delayed again . The trial was scheduled to begin in October , but a psychiatrist conducting a second sanity examination on Holmes asked for more time to complete the examination , according to a judge 's order from Arapahoe County District Court made public Wednesday . Judge Carlos Samour said he had `` little choice but to grant the examiner 's request '' despite the fact many victims would be opposed to the delay . The examination was originally set to be completed by August 15 , but the deadline was extended until October 15 , according to the order . A new trial date is set to be scheduled at a July 22 hearing . Holmes is accused of opening fire inside a packed movie theater during a midnight showing of Batman film `` The Dark Knight Rises '' in July 2012 , killing 12 people . He has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the 166 charges he faces in connection with the rampage . The attacker threw tear gas canisters into the theater then started shooting , according to witnesses . Police said he used several weapons , including an AR-15 rifle , before fleeing the theater . Holmes was taken into custody outside the theater , where authorities said he identified himself to police as `` The Joker , '' one of Batman 's archenemies . This is the third time the trial has been delayed . It was originally set to begin in August 2013 but was pushed back to February . That date was then delayed until October , which has now been postponed . Holmes ' attorneys argued in a motion filed last year that their client `` suffers from severe mental illness and was in the throes of a psychotic episode when he committed acts that resulted in the tragic loss of life . '' Prosecutors have said they plan to seek the death penalty . Remembering the victims . Background of Colorado shooting suspect full of contrasts . 2013 : Defense team says Holmes committed Colorado theater shooting .
Judge says he had 'little choice ' but to give more time for exam . Trial of accused Aurora theater shooter James Holmes is delayed . Judge grants request for more time to complete second sanity examination . Holmes is accused of killing 12 people in mass shooting .