Loughner Found Incompetent to Stand Trial in Giffords Shooting
A federal judge ruled Wednesday that the 22-year-old accused of shooting Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) is mentally unfit to stand trail.
U.S. District Judge Larry Burns’ ruling came after a competency hearing in Phoenix for suspect Jared Loughner, the Associated Press reported. It means that the trial will be suspended, and Loughner will be sent to a federal facility for up to four months in an attempt to restore his competency.
Loughner is accused of attacking a constituent event hosted by Giffords on Jan. 8 in Tucson, Ariz. Six people were killed, and 13, including Giffords, were wounded.
He has pleaded not guilty to the 49 federal charges against him.