Judge enters not guilty plea in cinema massacre case A bearded and bushy-haired James Holmes sat quietly as a packed courtroom waited for a plea that could help shed light on the deadly shooting rampage he is accused of perpetrating in a Colorado cinema last July. Instead, his lawyers told the judge they were not ready to enter a plea - despite numerous delays since the attack that killed 12 people and injured 70 at a midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises. A barely audible gasp rose from family members and victims. Accused: James Holmes. So how am I supposed to make an informed decision? Judge William Sylvester asked pointedly, his gaze fixed on defence lawyer Daniel King. The judge then entered a not guilty plea on Mr Holmes' behalf. Victims were relieved by Justice Sylvester's action. "It's been since July," said Marcus Weaver, who was shot in the arm and lost friend Rebecca Wingo in the attack. We're just so thankful we're able to move forward. Legal experts said the defence's actions might be part of a larger strategy to avoid the death penalty. Mr Holmes can change his plea to not guilty by reason of insanity - and he can wait to do so until after prosecutors announce whether they will seek the death penalty. Mr Holmes sat silently through the proceedings on Tuesday (US time). Prosecutors say Mr Holmes planned the assault for months, casing the cinema in Aurora, amassing weapons and rigging potentially deadly booby-traps in his apartment.