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California Family Stands By Colorado Shooting Suspect

SAN DIEGO (CBS/AP) -- A lawyer for the family of James Holmes says his mother had no idea Holmes was believed to be the gunman who killed a dozen people in a Colorado theater until a reporter contacted her at her San Diego home.

Photo Gallery: Colorado Movie Theater Massacre

San Diego attorney Lisa Damiani read a statement to reporters from Holmes' family Monday.

James Holmes
James Holmes (Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office)

It quoted his mother, Arlene, as saying she first heard of the shooting in Aurora, Colo., hours after it occurred, when a reporter for ABC News called her.

Damiani also said Holmes' parents are standing by him because he is their son.

At the same time, she says family members want to reiterate what they said shortly after the shooting, that their hearts go out to the victims and their families.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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