Holocaust museum shooter too injured for court

UPDATED:

James W. von Brunn, the white supremacist who fatally shot a guard at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in the District earlier this month, was still too injured from the gun battle to appear in court Tuesday morning.

Federal prosecutor Nicole Waid said a D.C. Department of Corrections doctor made the determination.

Mr. von Brunn, 88, was shot in the face during the June 10 killing of security guard Stephen T. Johns, 39, and has been charged with first-degree murder.

He entered the museum lobby at about 12:45 p.m., pulled out a .22-caliber rifle and fatally shot Mr. Johns in the chest, according to authorities.

At least five shots were exchanged by two other guards and Mr. von Brunn, who was taken to George Washington University Hospital. He was moved last week to Greater Southeast Community Hospital.

Federal public defender A.J. Kramer said Mr. von Brunn, of Annapolis, is responsive but cannot walk. Mr. Kramer would not say whether his client can talk.

U.S. Magistrate Judge John M. Facciola has schedule the next status hearing in U.S. District Court for July 10.

A notebook was found in Mr. von Brunn’s car, which was parked outside the museum, with the messages the “Holocaust is a lie” and President Obama “was created by Jews,” according to an affidavit.

Mr. von Brunn’s signature was included in the writings, the affidavit also stated.

He served six years in prison for trying in 1981 to kidnap Federal Reserve Board members, purportedly over increasing interest rates.