Washington, Jul 24 (IANS): The Colorado theater shooting suspect, who killed 12 people and injured 58 others in the US city of Aurora early Friday, made his first court appearance Monday.

Wearing red sweat pants and pink t-shirt, James Holmes,24, showed his face to the public for the first time since being incarcerated in connection with the worst mass shooting in the US history at a Batman movie premiere, Xinhua reported.

Five victims' family members were present in the packed courtroom at the state's Arapahoe County District Court as Holmes, tied with leather anklet, appeared calm and subdued with no facial expression.

He entered the court at 1630 GMT for his initial advisement hearing.

Chief Judge William B. Sylvester granted a gag order to prosecutors, cautioning not to compromise jurors in a case that is already highly publicised.

A four-member prosecutor team, including veteran chief deputy Karen Pearson as the lead, and Rich Orman, Jocob Edson will work on the case.

Daniel King, from the Arapahoe County Public Defender's office, was Holmes's attorney. He refused to speak on the case following around-10-minute of hearing.

Holmes will return to court July 30 when formal charges are expected to be filled against him.

According to Chamebers, at least 24 first-degree murder charges are expected to be filed against Holmes, due to Arapahoe County's double-list murder laws, and experts say over 100 charges in total are expected to be filed.