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Holmes Defense: Close Hearing On Jury Questions

DENVER (AP) - Attorneys for the man charged with killing 12 people at a Colorado theater have asked the judge to bar the public and media from a hearing on a questionnaire that prospective jurors will fill out.

In a motion released Tuesday, defense attorneys said news coverage would let potential jurors know some of the questions in advance, making it hard to find an impartial jury.

The hearing is scheduled May 5-6. Defense lawyers say they're not asking to close another part of the hearing focusing on other jury selection matters.

James Holmes pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to charges of murder and attempted murder. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

Separately, the judge granted prosecutors three weeks to respond to a defense request for a change of venue.

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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