During the brief hearing, Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa did not speak other than to say “yes” to a question from the judge, who advised him of the 10 charges of first-degree murder he faces. He did not enter a plea, which will come later in the judicial process.
BOULDER, Colo. — The suspected gunman in the Boulder supermarket shooting that killed 10 people appeared in court Thursday for the first time, and a defense attorney immediately asked for an assessment of his mental health. Kathryn Herold, the lawyer for suspect Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, provided no details about what condition he might suffer from. During the brief hearing, Alissa did not speak other than to say “yes” to a question from the judge, who advised him of the 10 charges of first-degree murder he faces. He did not enter a plea, which will come later in the judicial process. Alissa entered court in a wheelchair, presumably because of the gunshot wound to the leg that he suffered in the shooting. One of his attorneys leaned down to talk to him before the hearing began, and Alissa nodded his head as the attorney spoke to him. Four deputies with black bands of mourning across their badges stood close by. Alissa appeared alert and attentive. He wore a mask and purple, short-sleeved coveralls. The 21-year-old suspect remains held without bail. Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said authorities planned to file more charges, but he did not elaborate. At Herold’s request, Alissa’s next hearing will not be scheduled for two to three months to allow the defense team to evaluate his mental health and evidence collected by investigators. “Our position is we cannot do anything until we are able to fully assess Mr. Alissa’s mental illness. We cannot begin to assess the nature and depth of Mr. Alissa’s mental illness until we have discovery from the government,” Herold said, referring to evidence that prosecutors will eventually turn over to the defense. The court appearance marked the first time that Alissa has appeared in public since he was arrested Monday inside the King Soopers supermarket in Boulder.
