Both prosecutors and the defense in the criminal case of suspected theater shooter James Holmes have sought to prevent an Arapahoe District Court judge from releasing court documents and 911 recordings to shooting victims who’ve filed a civil suit against Cinemark.

Judge William Sylvester has suppressed the release of information related to the ongoing investigation of the July 20 rampage through Aurora Century 16 theater, where 12 people died and at least 58 others were injured.

“The District Attorney’s Office … is very sensitive to, and appreciative of, the needs of the victims in this case; however the integrity of the investigation process at this time requires that the people request that the court” deny the request, prosecutors wrote in a motion released Tuesday afternoon.

Both sides pointed out that not all of the information sought by victims — like 911 tapes — is in the court’s possession. The victims, through their attorney Christina Habas, also seek copies of arrest warrants and search warrant affidavits, some of the same material sought by members of the media.

Habas’ group of three victims — Brandon Axelrod, Denise Traynom and Joshua Nowlan — filed two suits in federal district court against Cinemark in September, claiming the theater should have done more to ensure the safety of its patrons.

The trio’s “inability to access certain important information that has been sealed by this court’s previous order interferes with their pursuit of that action,” Habas wrote in her motion seeking access to the court records.

Jessica Fender: 303-954-1244 , jfender@denverpost.com or twitter.com/oh_fender