DENVER – An investigator who said James Holmes’ computer was used for an Internet search on the words “rational insanity” can testify at Holmes’ trial in the Colorado theater shootings, the judge ruled Friday.

Aurora Police Detective Michael Leiker testified during a pretrial hearing in October that he found evidence of the Internet search. He didn’t say if he knew who did the search or when it was done. Neither prosecutors nor the defense asked him to elaborate.

Evidence about Holmes’ sanity will be crucial, and prosecutors might be able to use Leiker’s testimony about the “rational insanity” search to undermine the defense contention that Holmes was legally insane – could not tell right from wrong.

However, they have not indicated whether they planned to use Leiker’s finding in their case.

Also Friday, Arapahoe County District Judge Carlos A. Samour Jr. denied another defense attempt to have Colorado’s death penalty declared unconstitutional, and he rejected a series a defense motions about what kinds of arguments prosecutors should be able to make in favor of execution if Holmes is convicted.