Crime

Jared Loughner Expected to Plead Guilty to Tucson Massacre

Jared Lee Loughner Expected to Plead Guilty to Gabrielle Giffords Tucson Shooting

AP

PHOENIX (AP) — A possible plea deal in the deadly Tucson shootings that wounded then-U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords would send Jared Lee Loughner to prison for the rest of his life, according to a person familiar with the case.

A court-appointed psychiatrist will testify Tuesday that Loughner is competent to enter a plea in the shooting rampage that killed six people and injured 13, including Giffords, said the person, who was not authorized to discuss the case publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

A status conference in the federal case had already been scheduled for Tuesday in Tucson.

The person, speaking Saturday about upcoming events in the case, said the plan is for Loughner to enter a guilty plea in the murders and attempted murders. The plan is contingent on the judge in the case allowing Loughner to enter the plea.

The Los Angeles Times reported earlier Saturday that Loughner was set to change his plea.

Bill Solomon, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office, said he could not comment on Loughner’s case and the possibility of a guilty plea.

The Pima County attorney’s office, which has said it could also pursue state prosecution of Loughner, declined to comment, said spokeswoman Isabel Burruel Smutzer.

Loughner had pleaded not guilty to 49 federal charges stemming from the Jan. 8, 2011, shooting outside a Tucson supermarket where Giffords was holding a meet-and-greet with constituents.

Authorities said he shot Giffords, opened fire on the crowd and was subdued by bystanders. Giffords was shot in the head and subsequently left Congress to devote her time to rehabilitation.

Giffords and her husband were traveling in Europe, and spokeswoman Hayley Zachary said Saturday she had no information on developments in Loughner’s case.

U.S. Rep. Ron Barber, a Democrat who was elected in June to replace Giffords in Congress after she resigned, also was wounded in the shooting. A spokesman for Barber did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

U.S. District Judge Larry Burns ruled previously that Loughner isn’t psychologically fit to stand trial, but that he could eventually be made ready for trial after treatment.

An Arizona college that Loughner attended released numerous emails about him that painted a picture of a struggling student with emotional problems who disturbed others with his strange behavior.

Experts have concluded that Loughner suffers from schizophrenia, and prison officials in Missouri, where Loughner has been held, have forcibly medicated him with psychotropic drugs.

Even though psychologists have said Loughner’s condition is improving, his lawyers have vigorously fought the government’s efforts to medicate him.

At one point, a federal appeals court halted the forced medication, but resumed it once mental health experts at the prison concluded that Loughner’s condition was deteriorating further.

Loughner has demonstrated bizarre behavior since his arrest.

He was removed from a May 25, 2011, court hearing when he lowered his head to within inches of the courtroom table, then lifted his head and began a loud and angry rant.

His psychologist has said that since Loughner has been forcibly medicated, his condition has improved. He sat still and expressionless for seven hours at a hearing in September 2011.

Comments (42)

  • paprtowl
    Posted on August 7, 2012 at 12:08pm

    there is still something to be said for the tree or the gallows .

    Report Post »  
  • JACKTHETOAD
    Posted on August 5, 2012 at 11:12pm

    Does he look like ‘The Return Of The Colossal Man’ or is it just me?. His PARENTS KNEW! For God’s sake, there was some kinda makeshift altar in their backyard. Fry ‘em all.

    Report Post » JACKTHETOAD  
  • colt1860
    Posted on August 5, 2012 at 4:29pm

    I say execute the murderer. If the jude, along witht the attorey, don’t condemn this maniac and execute exact justice, hang them too. I’m tired of murderers getting away, and these public officials not being accountable for their decisions. As far as I’m concerned, giving a murderer a plea deal IS a bribe, and treasonous act against WE THE PEOPLE.

    Report Post »  
    • hoosierblue
      Posted on August 5, 2012 at 5:59pm

      He kills six people and injures thirteen and they are talking about a plea deal to give him life in prison so that all of us taxpayers have to support him for 50 yrs. Execute him.

      Report Post »  
  • PapaJohannesPatriot
    Posted on August 5, 2012 at 1:53pm

    A mass murderer being kept alive with our tax money. If they’re not going to put him on death row, then let him loose with the general population. A little girl was among his victims. Even the worst criminals have a distaste for child killers, and they will handle this guy.

    Report Post »  
  • Indymaverick
    Posted on August 5, 2012 at 12:19pm

    Free health care and 3 meals a day .

    Report Post » Indymaverick  
    • KenInIL
      Posted on August 5, 2012 at 1:09pm

      Exactly!! Why can’t the govt allow murderers to be killed instead of babies ??

      I think cutting him limb from limb the way they do babies would be just punishment.

      Report Post »  
    • db321
      Posted on August 5, 2012 at 1:20pm

      KenInI you nailed it! Once the Lib-Tards found out that he was a wacky as they are, they will do everything they can to protect this turd – however, I do think your punishment for him is appropriate.

      Report Post » db321  
    • colt1860
      Posted on August 5, 2012 at 4:45pm

      … plus water, heat, shelter, friends, books, and AC.

      What the heck is our country becoming?

      The innocent suffer and die, and instead of the guilty serving time and being put to labor, we serve them?

      Forgive us God, and may our land return to true justice, that we may rid it of this evil.

      Report Post »  
  • MRjensee
    Posted on August 5, 2012 at 10:46am

    The creep needs to die. He killed a beautiful 9 year old at point blank range without hesitation. Kill his sorry lunatic ass. Please somebody, when get to the prison shank his sorry ass for the rest of us.

    Report Post »  
    • BuzzardSays
      Posted on August 6, 2012 at 2:57pm

      Come on now just a simple US grade rope noose around the neck would suffice. We don’t need prisoners doing the goverments heavy lifting. The goverment is uniquely sanctioned by God to perform purification of society through the killing of bad criminals. Mass murderers, child molesters, rapists, etceteras. Two-thousand years ago a liberal mob, which happened to be Jewish, preferred the mass murderer Barrabas over Jesus “The King of Righteousness” and have never stopped giving a pass to really bad people ever since.

      Who is running the justice system anyway?

      Report Post » BuzzardSays  
  • junkmaninohio
    Posted on August 5, 2012 at 10:36am

    Execute this sub=human parasite immediately.

    Report Post »  
  • Secret Squirrel
    Posted on August 5, 2012 at 10:24am

    .
    Do you know what “Life in prison” means?
    It means a team of lawyers will be paid by the taxpayers to try to get this guy out.

    Report Post » Secret Squirrel  
  • Ted Zeppelin
    Posted on August 5, 2012 at 10:07am

    Life in prison will be good for Democrats when President Obysmal signs another executive order giving convicted felons the right to vote.

    Convicted felons who are also illegal aliens will be allowed to vote twice. All prison ballots will only list Democrat candidates… like they do now for goverment employees.

    Report Post »  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on August 5, 2012 at 10:04am

    …
    The Fort Hood mass murderer will pull a plea bargain also, to get out of the death sentence.
    The judge needs to have that murderer’s face forcibly shaved, so the trial can begin.
    The whole process is being held up, just because no one wants to anger the Muslims.

    All the court has done, is fine him a thousand dollars for not shaving his beard.
    Why is the judge allowing this mass murderer to play games with our justice system?
    The Fort Hood murderer was a Muslim while he was serving in the U.S. military, and he shaved every day. Ever since he murdered 13 people, he refuses to shave because of his “Muslim faith”.

    SHAVE IT OFF OF HIM and START THE TRIAL!!!
    Stop kissing radical Islam butt. It’s that simple.

    Report Post »  
  • Individualism
    Posted on August 5, 2012 at 9:34am

    that is what your typical terrorist looks like.

    Report Post » Individualism  
    • KeystoneState
      Posted on August 5, 2012 at 9:46am

      Individualism, You Ignorant S1ut! Getting that out of the way, this Loughner guy is like that Joker clown in CO., a Mental Case who belongs on heavy medication in a rubber room until he assumes room temperature!

      Report Post » KeystoneState  
    • face.chewer
      Posted on August 5, 2012 at 10:03am

      Idiot, this is what a terrorist looks like. (google image search for Muslim, look at the hate in those faces!)

      https://www.google.com/search?q=muslim&num=100&hl=en&newwindow=1&safe=off&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS473US473&prmd=imvnsul&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=mHweUK-2HoXniwLUl4DQCA&ved=0CMYEEPwFKAE&biw=1366&bih=643

      Report Post »  
    • the_truth_or_not
      Posted on August 5, 2012 at 10:23am

      @FACECHEWER
      I normally dont come out and acuse anyone based on their postings. In your case, I have made an acception. You are some kind of racist. To insinuate that all Muslims are terrorists, is dispictable. I know honest decent Muslims that are not terrorists, not all the pics in the find was Muslim, nor was all their faces full of hate. Furthermore Not all terrorists are Muslim. Did you forget Ted Bundy (yes he did insight terror not only with his victims but the populace too, and it was not limited to SLC. I remember) Timothy Mcvay, I could go on, but only one non Muslim terrorist was needed to prove my point. I added two to double down.

      Report Post » the_truth_or_not  
    • Individualism
      Posted on August 5, 2012 at 10:53am

      Funny i don’t see Muslims killing millions of people around the world. i don’t see them tazing people. pepper spraying people, or writing them tickets, trying to stop peaceful protests or involved in human brutality cases in this country. well not anywhere to the extent people like loughner are doing it.

      Report Post » Individualism  
    • Apple Bite
      Posted on August 5, 2012 at 11:35am

      They beat and murder their own and anyone else that doesn’t agree with them, for even the most malign issue in society. For crying out loud, get your head out of your rearend!

      Report Post » Apple Bite  
    • Joey8
      Posted on August 5, 2012 at 2:24pm

      This guy is the real nut job. 9-11 truther who believes that police are terrorists, that pepper spraying someone is the same as beheading them, that tazing someone is just as bad as dragging a mutilated body around town, that writing someone a speeding ticket is just like strapping a bomb on and blowing yourself up in a crowded market.

      Report Post »  
    • colt1860
      Posted on August 5, 2012 at 4:51pm

      @Joey8 No wonder the commie left is protecting him.

      Report Post »  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on August 5, 2012 at 9:30am

    …
    Of course Loughner will plead guilty.
    He more than likely accepted a plea bargain, to get a lighter sentence.
    If you were facing the death penalty, would you not plead guilty, to get it reduced down to a life sentence?

    Report Post »  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on August 5, 2012 at 9:45am

      Yes, most likely. I am 99.999% sure I would. But is it all about an extra minute of cognition?

      Report Post »  
    • the_truth_or_not
      Posted on August 5, 2012 at 10:14am

      The only way I would face the death penalty is if an over zelous DA had trumped up murder charges after I dispatched a life in self defense. I pray to GOD that I dont EVER need to use my hand gun for anything else besides target practice. If I do, It will be there.

      With that being said, I can only imagine what I would do in that situation, with my current convictions (I am sure they could change when looking at a firing squad.) I would not take a plea deal to save my life in a human cage. That in itself would be torture, and I would make them dispatch me so I dont have to go thru life living that way.

      Report Post » the_truth_or_not  
  • Walkabout
    Posted on August 5, 2012 at 9:18am

    This is a politics. If a person has to be forcibly medicated to become sane, then how could he have been sane at the time of the crime?

    Still I have seen wild dogs attack lions because they were rabid. It wasn’t their fault. still they need to be put down.

    The left was quick to blame Sarah Palin. They were equally quick to take down & scrub that picture of a Satanic altar of skulls. Loughner was infected by the diseased memes of the left.

    Report Post »  
  • RobbieTLHughie
    Posted on August 5, 2012 at 9:10am

    I am generally opposed to the death penalty but in certain cases where there is no need for an investigation, I think we should skip all the regalia and ceremonies. I hate the way it sounds because it‘s nothing but draconian but my conscience tells me that it’s not wrong, my heart tells me it is but I wouldn’t shed a tear if they laid him out.

    What the Hell is wrong with you people who want to see him killed in public, you are the same people who blame movies for shootings, such a confusing bunch of people you Blazers are.

    Report Post » RobbieTLHughie  
  • fiveft15
    Posted on August 5, 2012 at 9:07am

    Don’t you know how much he could be rehabilitated, not!!!!! Needs to be executed ASAP instead of living on our dime for years!

    Report Post »  
  • bdandsl
    Posted on August 5, 2012 at 8:58am

    Too bad this didn’t happen in Texas. He would go to the front of the line for execution!

    Report Post » bdandsl  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on August 5, 2012 at 8:21am

    As in all these cases the warning signs were clearly there…….

    Report Post »  
  • historyguy48
    Posted on August 5, 2012 at 7:57am

    So this is justice in the Peoples Republic of Colorado? I’m certain that the people he killed, the people who’s lives he destroyed, or irrevocably changed, all stand behind this decision.
    Now if he had killed, or even wounded, one of our Political Elites, our Kings and Princes, this deal wouldn’t have been made and he would at least be facing a needle. But he didn’t, he merely shot a few Slav’s, representatives of the great unwashed masses, so he deserves to be given a private cell complete with his own television, cable channels with pornography on them, books, perhaps an occasional whore to satisfy his more basic needs, all while being considered by his new friends to be at the top of their food chain.
    Now if he had done something truly evil, like peed in Dear Leaders cheerios, then they would see that justice was truly done by bringing back crucifixion
    After all, he would deserve that if he had done that!!

    Report Post » historyguy48  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on August 5, 2012 at 8:23am

      Great post wrong state though,you have your mass murderers confused.

      Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • yougottabekidding
      Posted on August 5, 2012 at 8:25am

      Learn history if you want to use that name!
      You are not even up on current events.

      Report Post »  
    • RRFlyer
      Posted on August 5, 2012 at 9:00am

      You lost me at “Colorado” Do you even know what you are talking about?

      Report Post »  
    • RobbieTLHughie
      Posted on August 5, 2012 at 9:06am

      Like a lot of people on this site, you don’t seem to be able to read past the headline before commenting.

      Report Post » RobbieTLHughie  
  • Stoic one
    Posted on August 5, 2012 at 7:55am

    If he committed suicide his guilt would be assuaged and the taxpayers will save lots of money

    Report Post » Stoic one  
  • qpwillie
    Posted on August 5, 2012 at 7:44am

    Why would he plead guilty? Everybody knows it‘s Sarah Palin’s fault. All the leftists told me so.

    Report Post » qpwillie  
  • AWAKENEDAWARE
    Posted on August 5, 2012 at 7:40am

    HANG THIS P.O.S. in the public square.

    Report Post » AWAKENEDAWARE  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on August 5, 2012 at 8:21am

      I’d rather watch him burn,and televise it to show how we deal with mass murderers.

      Report Post » progressiveslayer  

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