Defense attorneys for suspected theater shooter James Holmes said their client was sent to the hospital Tuesday and needed to postpone a court hearing, but did not provide additional details about his condition.

However, sources said Holmes injured himself by ramming his head into a wall at the Arapahoe County jail.

Over objections from prosecutors, Arapahoe County District Court Judge William Sylvester moved a hearing scheduled for Thursday to Dec. 10. That is when lawyers will discuss how information about the package Holmes mailed to his psychiatrist was released to media, as well as other matters.

Citing concerns that divulging Holmes' "medical or psychiatric information" would waive right to keep other personal

Century Aurora 16 Multiplex (RJ Sangosti, Denver Post file photo)
details out of the courtroom, public defender Tamara Brady declined to state his ailment or whether he was still hospitalized.

"In the middle of the day yesterday, we received information for the situation (that) involved a trip to the hospital," Brady said. "It's not as simple as a migraine, and it's not something I feel will resolve by tomorrow morning."

Prosecutor Rich Orman objected, saying the defense did not provide enough information to determine whether the delay was justified.

"It's so black-letter law we actually learned it in law school," Orman said. "That's not the way the law works."

He said 19 of 20 victims surveyed also opposed the delay.

Sylvester set Holmes' next court dates for Dec. 10 and 13, saying "the defense has been able to give me the information I need."

Holmes' defense team made an emergency request for the continuance Tuesday afternoon.

Arapahoe County jail officials said they could not comment on whether Holmes had been returned to the lock up, where he has been bunking in the infirmary since his arrest. They called it "a matter of safety and security."

They also declined to discuss his condition. But other sources said Holmes received a MRI after his self-inflicted injury.

Holmes is accused of opening fire during a midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises" on July 20 at the Century Aurora 16. Twelve people were killed and at least 58 were wounded.

Holmes faces 166 counts of murder, attempted murder and other charges related to the shooting.

He has been present for all other hearings in his case.