Lawyers for Aurora theater shooting suspect James Holmes are demanding that the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office turn over a videotape of Holmes while he was under psychiatric care in Denver.

In March, Holmes’ attorneys revealed in a motion that Holmes had spent “several days, frequently in restraints” at Denver Health Medical Center after officials in Arapahoe County had him committed for psychiatric care. In committing him, attorneys for the Arapahoe County jail, where Holmes is being held while he awaits trial, cited a law pertaining to people who are in psychiatric crisis and a danger to themselves or others.

A videotape was made of Holmes’ stay, and Holmes’ attorneys have previously asked for a court order to ensure the tape was not destroyed.

In a motion filed Tuesday, Holmes’ attorneys said the sheriff’s office has refused to provide the tape. They said they are entitled now to see the tape because Holmes has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

In Tuesday’s motion, Holmes’ attorneys said the clinician who will perform the court-ordered mental-health evaluation on Holmes also has said he wants the tape.

“He expressly stated that video footage of Mr. Holmes while he was hospitalized at Denver Health is relevant to his sanity examination, and that he would like to view this footage,” Holmes’ attorneys wrote in the motion.

Holmes is charged with 166 counts of murder, attempted murder and other crimes for the July 20 attack on the Century Aurora 16 movie theater. The attack killed 12 people. By pleading insanity, Holmes’ has effectively indicated he will not dispute that he committed the shootings. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

John Ingold: 303-954-1068, jingold@denverpost.com or twitter.com/john_ingold