James Holmes 142 charges [VIDEO]. James Holmes has just been charged with 24 counts of 1st degree murder -- two counts for each of the 12 people he shot and killed during the "Dark Knight" massacre in Colorado on July 20.

Holmes appeared in a Colorado courtroom ...  still sporting reddish, orange hair ... where he was also charged with 116 counts of attempted murder ... 2 counts for each of the 58 people who were injured in the shooting.

Holmes spoke in court for the first time during the 45 minute hearing -- answering with a soft spoken "yes" when the judge asked if he was OK with his lawyers requesting more time before his preliminary hearing.

In total, Holmes was hit with 142 charges ... including one count of possessing an explosive device and one count of unlawful use of a deadly weapon. Go here to read more.