Offering the first hint of a defense strategy in the murder trial of accused Aurora theater shooter James Holmes, defense attorneys said on Thursday their client was mentally ill. Holmes' defense team said it needed more time to determine exactly what kind of condition he suffers from, and how severe it is, but just the fact they raised the issue of his mental health at all is notable because it's the first information they've shared about his mental state. The lawyers made their revelation at a court hearing where media organizations were arguing to have court records unsealed. Defense attorney Daniel King said prosecutors and investigators must hand over more information about Holmes, The Associated Press' Solomon Banda, who appears to have the first thorough report on the hearing, wrote: "We cannot begin to assess the nature and the depth of Mr. Holmes' mental illness until we receive full disclosure of all the documents," he said. Holmes was present at the hearing, and according to Banda, "had the same dazed demeanor that he has had in previous court appearances." The judge will issue an order no later than Monday, courts spokesman Rob McCallum tweeted.

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Adam Martin