The man accused of killing 12 people at a cinema in Colorado has been warned he could face the death penalty.

James Holmes, 24, made his initial court appearance in Centennial, where he was refused bail. He arrived with his hair dyed orange and wearing a maroon prison jumpsuit.

Holmes will next appear in court on Monday 30 July, where formal charges will be brought.

He is currently being held in solitary confinement. Police say he is not co-operating and will not reveal his motive.

Holmes is accused of killing 12 people and injuring 59 as he opened fire at a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora on Friday. It was the worst shooting incident in the US since an attack at Fort Hood, Texas, in 2009 that killed 13.