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28 Sep 2011 10:50

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U.S.: Judge to decide on Jared Lee Loughner’s fitness to eventually stand trial

  • The gunman in the Gabrielle Giffords shooting has been diagnosed as a schizophrenic. Loughner’s mental health issues, which manifested themselves in a disturbing way back in January, could prevent him from going to trial on 49 charges relating to the shooting which nearly killed a congresswoman. Did his time in a federal prison hospital help improve his condition enough to eventually stand trial? Does he need more time (as prosecutors are arguing), or is he not improving at all, as his defense attorneys claim? A judge will parse through these issues today. source

28 Jun 2011 13:44

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U.S.: Loughner’s lawyers: Doctors are forcing medication on him

  • If Jared Lee Loughner takes psychotropic drugs, he could become competent enough to stand trial. A while back, a judge ruled that Loughner can take any medicine he wants voluntarily, but his lawyers must be notified if he’s forced to take any medication to restore him to competency. However, those lawyers say that they weren’t in the room during a June 13th hearing which allowed a mental hospital to force him to take drugs to improve his mental condition — against the wishes of Loughner. Now they’re having a judge decide on the matter for a third time. So, the question is: If his lawyers are trying to prevent him from taking the medicine he needs to get better, how is he supposed to stand trial? Answer: If the decision favors Loughner, he probably won’t. source

04 Mar 2011 15:35

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U.S.: Jared Loughner faces fresh charges in Arizona shooting rampage

  • 49 total charges for the gunman who shot Gabrielle Giffords source
  • » Focusing on the other victims: This time, the charges focus less on Gabrielle Giffords (the only wounded victim still in the hospital or in rehabilitation) and more on those killed or wounded in the attack. Some of the charges include murder charges in the death of a federal judge and congressional aide, as well as charges revolving around causing death or injury at a federally-provided event. Let’s be honest, though. No matter how many charges they nail him for – or at least try to – the fact of the matter is, he’ll be punished severely when he’s convicted.

22 Feb 2011 23:47

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U.S.: New Jared Lee Loughner mugshots, courtesy of a legal battle

  • A bunch of news organizations fought hard for these photos. More than a dozen media outlets, in fact. And these pics of Jared Lee Loughner, the suspect in last month’s Gabrielle Giffords shooting, only came to light after a court decision forced their release (which prosecutors and defense attorneys fought against, saying that they unfairly biased potential jurors against Loughner). But it wasn’t a total loss for the lawyers. They managed to prevent the release of the search warrant records in the case. That said, these photos don’t seem quite as bad as the iconic one released after he was arrested. source

19 Jan 2011 20:54

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U.S.: Gabrielle Giffords case: Jared Lee Loughner indicted in federal court

  • 3 initial federal charges for Loughner; more will likely be coming source
  • » And in case you’re wondering: Loughner could face the death penalty for the charges, which include attempted assassination of a congresswoman.

14 Jan 2011 19:30

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U.S.: The weirdest Jared Lee Loughner news we’ll post, well, ever

  • A Walgreens in Tuscon [sic], Ariz. turned over to police racy photos of gunman Jared Loughner with a Glock and a G-string that were taken to the store to be developed the night before the shooting rampage that left six people dead and 14 wounded. … In the photos he holds the pistol against his crotch and buttocks while wearing a bright red thong, sources told ABC News.
  • ABC News • Leaving us speechless. source

13 Jan 2011 09:58

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U.S.: Jared Lee Loughner’s ex-girlfriend: He used to be normal

  • The Jared that I used to know is completely changed from what the world sees him now as. You know, I would never have ever expected him to become what he has.
  • Jared Lee Loughner’s ex-girlfriend, Kelsey Hawkes • Explaining that when they dated six years ago, her boyfriend wasn’t anything like he is now. Back then, she says he was “very caring, very sweet, a gentle, kind, you know, a little bit quiet. But altogether a pretty great guy.” And in regards to Loughner’s family life, she had this to say: “From my experience with (his family), they were actually really great. His mom is a very sweet lady … very, very kind … and thoughtful, and her dad — or his dad, sorry, was always very kind to me, as well.” She also noted that Loughner’s father may have kept to himself, but he was actually pretty normal. source
 

11 Jan 2011 23:51

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U.S.: How major newspaper editors played Jared Loughner’s mug

  • too hot New York Post editor Col Allen, on blowing the photo out: “We felt his leering grin and wild eyes revealed something of his mental state. The image conveyed a sense of madness.”
  • too coldWashington Post editor Marcus Brauchli, who chose to stay local over giving the mugshot big play: “Our community is one of the communities hard hit by this. The photo reflected that.”
  • just rightNew York Times editor Bill Keller, on playing the pic at an effectively large (for them) three columns: “It felt to me like the obvious right choice. This was the picture of the day.” source

11 Jan 2011 21:00

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U.S.: Jared Lee Loughner’s family makes media statement

  • This is a very difficult time for us. We ask the media to respect our privacy. There are no words that can possibly express how we feel. We wish that there were, so we could make you feel better. We don’t understand why this happened. It may not make any difference, but we wish that we could change the heinous events of Saturday. We care very deeply about the victims and their families. We are so very sorry for their loss.
  • Randy and Amy Loughner • In a statement about their son, Jared Lee Loughner, and his role in Saturday’s shooting. We feel the same way they do. We wish we could give them a hug. They probably need one. source

11 Jan 2011 20:16

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U.S.: Arizona legislature to Westboro: Don’t picket a kid’s funeral. Ugh.

  • 29-0 the number of votes the bill garnered in the state Senate
  • 58-0 the number of votes the bill garnered in the State House
  • duh Jan Brewer is probably going to sign this emergency bill source