Potential James Holmes juror pulls out hair, literally

CENTENNIAL, Colo. - A prospective juror in the Aurora, Colorado theater shooting case was dismissed Tuesday following a bizarre scene in which she fell to her knees in tears and pulled out chunks of her hair, reports CBS Denver.

The woman arrived at court Tuesday morning to answer her summons and was accompanied by a child. According to the station, the woman said she is in charge of babysitting the child and could not bring the child to daycare because the child has not been immunized for measles.

The woman asked to be excused but was instead asked to come back another day. That's when she reportedly fell to her knees, began crying and pulled chunks of her hair out.

She was subsequently released from jury selection and was not asked to return.

The woman was one of 9,000 people initially sent summonses.

The jurors who are chosen will hear the case against James Holmes, who is charged with killing 12 people and injuring 70 more at a movie theater in Aurora in July 2012.

On Monday, the judge overseeing the case said jury selection was going so efficiently that the first phase would be cut short by several days.

Judge Carlos A. Samour Jr. had planned to finish giving potential jurors lengthy, written questionnaires by Feb. 13. But he said Monday he will close that phase on Feb. 9 and begin the next one, which includes individual questioning of potential jurors, on Feb. 11.

"I like the fact that we are ahead of the game," Samour said.

Those who make the second round will be asked in-depth questions about the death penalty, mental illness and other matters. Samour said he hopes 100 to 120 suitable jurors will remain after individual questioning. The final 24 - 12 jurors and 12 alternates - will be chosen from that pool during group questioning.

Holmes has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

Jury selection began Jan. 20 and is expected to last until May or June.