“(James Holmes) was trying to look like he was sincerely curious," a witnessed to the bizarre incident, in the jail's infirmary told media sources.

"Like he had no idea why there was anything wrong with what he was saying. It was sick ... I think he's trying real hard to act crazy," he added.

Holmes reportedly asked a jail worker "Did you see the movie?" and then "How does it end?"
He repeated the question when the worker ignored him.

Holmes is being held in solitary confinement in the Arapahoe County Detention Center.

He was moved to the infirmary for his own protection and was fitted with ankle shackles, a bulletproof vest and a black plastic face guard to stop him from spitting on security guards.

The graduate school dropout, who had his first court appearance on Monday, could face the death penalty upon conviction if unable to prove he is mentally incompetent.