Thursday's hearing of the Aurora theatre shooting confirmed that the prosecutors are building their case around 'a revenge motive' to refute defense's insanity claim.

James Holmes,24, accused in the shooting that killed 12 and injured, had made threats against the University of Colorado six weeks prior to the shooting, according to Karen Pearson, Arapahoe County chief deputy district attorney. But she did not delve into the nature of these 'threats'.

She said that these threats were made at the same time when Holmes' academic dreams were crumbling and he had failed a crucial oral exam which would determine his fate in the program. Following which he began the process of withdrawal from the program.

Holmes was pursuing his doctorate in Neuroscience at the University's Anschutz Medical School.

Pearson also said that the threats were reported to the university police and Holmes was banned from entering the campus--a claim which was later refuted by the university spokes person Jacque Montgomery.

According to the university, Holmes was not barred from entering the campus, but his access cards to laboratories and such were deactivated which is an established protocol to be followed when a student withdraws from any program.

Also, according to Aurora Police Chief Daniel Oates, university never contacted them regarding the alleged threats challenging prosecution's version of events, Denver Post reports.

The statements were made by Pearson when she argued for the release of academic documents of Holmes from the university which would, according to her, give an insight into Holmes' life leading up to the brutal shooting.

While prosecution was aggressively trying to convince the Judge and the jurors of an underlying revenge motive, defense attorney Daniel King called the prosecution's attempts at releasing the records as 'fishing expedition'. "It's irrelevant what the motive is," he said.

A showdown between prosecution and defense attorneys is expected next Thursday, when they argue whether the package that Holmes allegedly sent to university psychiatrist Dr.Lynne Fenton come under the patient-therapist confidentiality agreement.

A local CBS affiliate KCNC-TV, reported Tuesday, that Holmes had seen in the least three other mental health professionals associated with the university prior to the shooting. The channel did not name its sources and the news has not been verified for its authenticity.

Holmes has been charged with 24 counts of murder and 116 counts of attempted murder. He is kept under solitary confinement at the Arapahoe County Jail.