Crime

AZ Shooter Likely to Face Death Penalty for Death of Federal Judge

AZ Shooter Likely to Face Death Penalty for Death of Federal Judge

Judge John M. Roll, 1947-2011

U.S. District Judge John M. Roll was murdered Saturday morning when 22-year-old Jared Lee Loughner allegedly carried out a shooting rampage in the parking lot of an Arizona Safeway.  Roll, like dozens of other supporters, had gathered to meet Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., who was hosting an outdoor town-hall style event when shots rang out around 10 a.m.  In all six people were killed and more than a dozen others were wounded.

While the news of Giffords‘ injuries have largely overshadowed Roll’s death, the judge’s murder will likely bring the harshest punishment if Loughner is convicted.

Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik said Saturday evening that authorities believe Giffords was the intended target of the shooter.  But Fox News legal analyst Judge Andrew Napolitano said the killer will likely face the death penalty, even if he did not intentionally target Roll or others who perished in the incident.  Fox News reports:

Napolitano said it would be a federal crime of capital murder eligible for the death sentence if the killer’s motive was to prevent Roll from carrying out his judicial role.

“If on the other hand he was just killed because he happened to get in the way, then it’s not a federal crime, then Arizona law would take place. He still may be exposed to the death penalty but it would be under Arizona jurisdiction and not federal.”

Napolitano said a federal prosecution is likely to occur first.

“The federal government almost always takes precedence when there is a joint jurisdiction,” he said, explaining that there is joint jurisdiction in the investigation because two of the targets — Giffords and Roll — were federal officers. Homicide is typically a state crime.

Judge Roll was appointed to the federal bench by President George H.W. Bush in 1991.  He was known for his “middle of the road” approach to judging and Napolitano described him as a “methodical, hard-working, well-respected, well-liked conservative jurist whose death is a shock to all of us in the legal community.”

U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts also conveyed his condolences over the news of Roll’s death.  “We in the judiciary have suffered the terrible loss of one of our own,” Roberts said in a public statement Saturday. “Chief Judge John Roll was a wise jurist who selflessly served Arizona and the nation with great distinction, as attorney and judge, for more than 35 years.”

“I express my deepest condolences to his wife Maureen and his children, as well as the other victims and their families,” Roberts said. “Chief Judge Roll’s death is a somber reminder of the importance of the rule of law and the sacrifices of those who work to secure it.”

According to a statement issued by the U.S. District Court in Arizona, Roll was a “devoted husband, father of three, grandfather of five, and friend to all who knew him.”

“He was a warm, compassionate judge and inspirational leader in what is one of the busiest districts in the country. His death will leave a significant void in the District of Arizona and the entire federal judiciary, and we are all deeply saddened,” the court said.

Comments (62)

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  • Cog
    Posted on January 9, 2011 at 10:21am

    Here is a new, valid plea for the shooter’s actions:
    Spiritual Starvation
    If the 6th Commandment had been engraved on his heart, yesterday would have had a better ending.
    It simply says: Thou shalt not kill.

    Report Post »  
    • Eblaze44
      Posted on January 9, 2011 at 3:33pm

      The sixth commandment does not say “thou shalt not kill” it says “thou shalt not commit murder” – oh yes, I know what it say’s in the KJV but that is NOT a proper translation. IF it was “thou shalt not kill” then you’ll have to explain why a few chapters later the Hebrews were told to annihilate (commit genocide) all the people, men, women, children, cattle, etc., living in the land of Canaan which God gave them to live in.

      Report Post » Eblaze44  
  • PatriotRider
    Posted on January 9, 2011 at 9:58am

    Why isn’t he dead already?

    Report Post » PatriotRider  
    • ronmorgen
      Posted on January 9, 2011 at 10:05am

      He might be had one of the attacked had a gun. In Arizona lots of people carry in public.

      Report Post » ronmorgen  
    • hud
      Posted on January 9, 2011 at 10:31am

      No other shooters in the audience. Only an extremely rich person with a gun could afford to become involved in the age of obummer. Lawyers don’t come cheap, ask Scooter Libby.

      Report Post »  
  • I Don't Pull Punches
    Posted on January 9, 2011 at 9:39am

    The same nuts that are, as we speak, busy blaming all of us on the right for this crime will be the same nuts who, in a couple years from now are spending millions on appeals trying to spare this idiots life.

    Report Post »  
  • ronmorgen
    Posted on January 9, 2011 at 8:33am

    He can plead insanity because he was a lefty. That pretty much qualifies you, right.

    Report Post » ronmorgen  
  • Diane TX
    Posted on January 9, 2011 at 1:15am

    All I can say is GOOD! He deserves the death penalty for carelessly killing a nine year old child. A very decent Federal Judge was also killed for no good reason. He destroyed the lives of a lot of very decent people. His accomplishments are only of a rambling idiot on the internet. Under the odious Obama Care, he gets to stay on his parents health insurance until age 26. Pretty ridiculous, in my opinion!

    Report Post »  
  • pamela kay
    Posted on January 9, 2011 at 1:02am

    This is such a sad day. So much pain.It looks like this young man will get the death penalty. I would like to know more about his life and whether he had mental problems in the past. How did he get to this point? We need to understand if only to confront and prevent future situations from happening. He is responsible for his crimes. To say that he will get the death penalty for the death of the judge only makes it seem like the other victims lives had less meaning. It was a senseless and horrible crime. Violence such as this is not the answer. The only persons responsible are those who committ the crime. Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck and Fox news have never once even remotely suggested or called for violence of any kind. The mainstream media will do everything in their power to brainwash people into believing that they are. It will be used to destroy them all. They will use this to inforce gun control in the name of justice when in fact it will only be an injustice to further the progressive agenda. It is a sad day not only for the victims and their families but for our country. God be with us all.

    Report Post » pamela kay  
  • Workforit
    Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:41am

    What about the 9 year old little girl and the others…“Death” for a judge” give me a break! This guy needs to feel the swift and powerful hand of Justice smack down on him so hard that his greasy spot evaporates…

    Report Post »  
  • Psychosis
    Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:40am

    HERE is some wiped pages from the daily ko, and face book, myspace etc from this dirtbag, removed by those on the left that are trying to make it look like this guy was a tea party guy

    sorry lefties, no dice

    http://hillbuzz.org/2011/01/08/my-congresswoman-voted-against-nancy-pelosi-and-is-now-dead-to-me-eerie-daily-kos-hit-piece-on-gabrielle-giffords-just-two-days-before-assassination-attempt-on-her/

    Report Post » Psychosis  
    • N37BU6
      Posted on January 9, 2011 at 1:11am

      Ahh, they beat me to it. I was just digging through Google’s cache looking at Myspace.

      Report Post » N37BU6  
    • Devil Dog 7175
      Posted on January 9, 2011 at 4:13pm

      Great info…thanks for the research. You know that the lame stream media will jump right on this and run a front page apology to anyone one the right they accused …Right? (sound of cricketts chirping) Maybe Ed Shultz, Olbermann Krugman, Any one? anyone? (more cricketts)

      Report Post » Devil Dog 7175  
  • joan k
    Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:37am

    The death penalty is almost too good for him for what he did. This man was suicidal and would relish the relief.

    Report Post » joan k  
  • Jeff
    Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:36am

    Anyone….? What about the poor 9-year old? Where is the caring and sympathy for everyone not on Congressional payrole?

    Report Post »  
  • 13thGenerationAmerican
    Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:24am

    Second Amendment remedies.” – Sharron Angle

    Report Post » 13thGenerationAmerican  
    • tifosa
      Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:54pm

      Take the guns out of political ads, imo.

      Report Post » tifosa  
  • EPluribusUnum1of
    Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:05am

    I say we treat him just like a muslim killer who misunderstands the religion of peace, islam, like the Fort Hood shooter! He just misunderstood the functions of the gun….

    Report Post »  
  • dontbotherme
    Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:01am

    He murdered 6 people. Justice must prevail. I wish it was swift. I want him to see what he did. Show him pictures of the melee. This is one time when the terrorist did not die. He will have to learn the truth of the pain he caused.

    Report Post »  
  • Afungi
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 11:52pm

    Real cut and dry. I prefer Texas Law here if three people witness the murder. The murderer gets the express line treatment. If it’s the Fed it will take 25 to 30 years of appeals and millions of dollars. Please keep the families and those in recovery in your prayers.

    Report Post »  
  • IowaWoman
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 11:42pm

    He will plea INSANITY and get it. No death penalty for him. There is tons of proof he was nuts BEFORE he did this. I wish it were not true, but it is.

    Report Post » IowaWoman  
  • Coast2Coast
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 11:40pm

    Bring back the gallows and string this nut job from the tallest building in AZ.

    Report Post »  
  • ebenezer
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 11:21pm

    I am truly saddened to hear this news. But, if the shooter was an illegal alien he would get better treatment than if he had been a conservative. It will be interesting to see how the left spins it if he truly was a liberal.

    Report Post »  
  • macman78
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 11:20pm

    Dust off the firing squad for this guy.

    Report Post »  
  • vilaria
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 11:18pm

    He has acted as a political terrorist, he has attempted an assassination of a sitting congresswoman (and whatever your political leanings, this is intolerable in free society, we talk about our differences), he has killed a federal judge, and has taken the lives of innocent citizens, including a child. It is my sincere hope he ends up in my hometown, Terre Haute, Indiana (home of the nation’s only federal death row.)

    Report Post »  
  • tbb
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 11:11pm

    My prayers go out to all the victims families and all who had to witness such a horrible scene. I‘m extremely worried about who Obummer is going to appoint in the Judge’s stead.

    Report Post »  
    • lionslayer44
      Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:13am

      tbb terrible situation, deeply saddened for the families. i do agree i too fear who obama will appoint. death penalty regardless, a child weighs heavier on the soul.

      Report Post » lionslayer44  
  • psycodad36
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 11:06pm

    sad day for our country,innocent people killed,like every other day,but this is political.left will try to tie him to the right,right will try to tie him to the left.the big news anchors should pause before speculating and bringing more trouble to our society.got enough already thank you.just dont let them pass any more laws overnight to help prevent anymore of this.it won’t be good

    Report Post »  
    • tifosa
      Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:45pm

      “just dont let them pass any more laws overnight to help prevent anymore of this.it won’t be good” Yeh, would hate to “prevent anymore of this.”

      Report Post » tifosa  
  • poverty.sucks
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 10:50pm

    Gabrielle Giffords, who was elected as a supporter of capital punishment, now questions whether executing inmates makes any sense because she believes the death penalty does not deter crime.

    Report Post » poverty.sucks  
    • AzDebi
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 10:52pm

      Are you serious?

      Report Post » AzDebi  
    • poverty.sucks
      Posted on January 9, 2011 at 10:02am

      Giffords: Capital punishment. I was pro-capital-punishment when I first ran for office. Now I have some real concerns about our system. Justice is truly not blind. The system favors those who have the resources to defend themselves. Oftentimes I think it‘s far worse punishment to let people rot in jail and have to wake up every day knowing the destruction they’ve caused and the harm they’ve caused than to put them out of their misery.

      azstarnet.com Tuesday, October 28, 2008 12:00 am

      Report Post » poverty.sucks  
  • CowboyExpat
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 10:43pm

    There is a perceived connection with politics. However, a deranged pot smoking individual gives us a moment of pause. God bless the families of those killed and wounded.

    Jared Lee Loughner, Murderer … His story [manefesto] is on YouTube as user “Classitup10”

    Report Post » CowboyExpat  
  • Laus Deo
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 10:42pm

    Swift justice is what we demand.

    Report Post » Laus Deo  
  • Rickfromillinois
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 10:41pm

    Although I have no problem with him getting the death penalty for killing a Federal Judge, I think he should get the death penalty for killing a kid or any of the others for that matter.

    Report Post » Rickfromillinois  
    • AzDebi
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 10:51pm

      I agree! What difference does it make? In Arizona it doesn’t.

      Report Post » AzDebi  
    • tifosa
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 10:58pm

      The little girl, Christina, was born on 9/11/01. She‘d just been elected to her school’s student council.

      Report Post » tifosa  
    • AzDebi
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 11:17pm

      @tifosa…I did know that she was elected to her school student council…also, she attended the meeting with a neighbor who invited her to attend because of her interest in school government…I did not know that she was born on 9/11/01…her family must be absolutely devastated…we will all pray for them! My God, is there any greater loss than that of a child?

      Report Post » AzDebi  
    • ZaphodsPlanet
      Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:21am

      It‘s just too bad that we can’t kill him 7 times…. you know. Kill him once for every INNOCENT PERSON he KILLED…. then revive him once again… and kill him one last time. The same thing would be great for the Fort Hood Muslim MURDERER. Except we’d have to kill him what? 30 some odd times. That would be good too. Let the punishment fit the crime….. or you die in the same way you killed innocent people…. then we revive you and move on to the next way we’re going to execute you. Wasn’t there something in Stargate like that?

      Report Post » ZaphodsPlanet  
    • KenInIL
      Posted on January 9, 2011 at 2:09am

      – and lets not deny him the right to a speedy trial. Can we schedule his execution at the end of the month?

      Report Post »  
    • Polwatcher
      Posted on January 9, 2011 at 5:49am

      Hey, if I say that I want the death penalty for this creep shooter, does that mean I am using violent rhetoric.

      Report Post »  
    • jimenycricket
      Posted on January 9, 2011 at 7:53am

      My feelings exactly, It seams sometimes it depends on who you kill not just the act itself and it makes me sick. When a life is taken the death penalty should be sought not because of whom it was but because a life was taken. Mein Kamp, communist manifesto, this guy was deffinately not a conservative. MSM is making a fool of itself falling all over the will of the people struggling to get control of their government and this idiot and his shameful and cowardice act has nothing to do with the people and their struggle. God help those that have lost loved ones or have loved ones struggling to survive.

      Report Post »  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on January 9, 2011 at 9:59am

      yes good point Rick
      but until he has been fully interviewed by people
      other than Govt officials.
      Am I the only to think he saw the Judge and knew he was a Conservative

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
    • hud
      Posted on January 9, 2011 at 10:24am

      Or maybe not. Since it‘s fairly obvious he’s crazy as a shi- house rat.

      Report Post »  
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on January 9, 2011 at 10:48am

      How ’bout we have eye witness’ and a firing squad immediately! This process of letting these scumbags sit in jail for years while the relatives pay for them with their taxes needs to come to an end. At least 100 people saw this guy so there is no question “Who done it?”.

      Report Post »  
    • jnewbank
      Posted on January 9, 2011 at 11:27am

      I’ve read most the comments on this subject and it seems to me that this nutjob shooter did more than kill or maim yesterday. I can choose to be angry and vocal about it or just hope for swift and “quiet” justice for this killer. The less we know about him, the better off we are. Take away his warped incoherent platform and make him go away as a distant faded insignificant memory. pffft

      Report Post »  
    • Taquoshi
      Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:23pm

      This idiot is all of 22 years old and he’s going to be wearing an orange jumpsuit and bracelets for the rest of his life – however long that may be. From what I understand, his soon to be fellow inmates don’t take kindly to those who murder children. And that particular group of people are not known for their love, joy, peace, patience and understanding. Should be interesting to see how it all works out.

      Report Post » Taquoshi  
    • aafriend
      Posted on January 10, 2011 at 9:23am

      I also agree, the intent alone and then carrying out the pre meditated murders is enough for the death penalty. it will be an insanity defense though.

      Its my hope today that Glenn points out very clearly that this young man was in trouble way before Palin and the tea party even became a movement.

      Report Post » aafriend  
    • aafriend
      Posted on January 10, 2011 at 9:40am

      In working with young individuals with drug and alcohol problems, i see first hand the destruction it is doing to our youth. we has parents are loosing grasp of our children. i know teachers who are leaving their profession do to the drug use in class rooms, the defiant mentality directed at our teachers and professionals is breaking down society.

      Where are the parents in all of this, this child has been troubled for years. its time for all of us to look at what we are doing as parents. look at California and other states trying to legalize drugs that alter our children’s thinking. what are we thinking ? Our youth are our future, if we as adults continue this enabling, we alone are destroying the future of this great country.

      Report Post » aafriend  
    • Trance
      Posted on January 10, 2011 at 5:28pm

      I don‘t think anybody’s life is worth than anybody elses. I don‘t care if it’s a 9 year old girl, or a federal judge. We should all have equal protection of the law.

      Report Post » Trance  
  • tifosa
    Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:42pm

    I‘d bet he felt disenfranchised because he’s white too. Way to perpetuate that ideology.

    tifosa  
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