ticklethewire.com
In a ruling that comes as little surprise, a federal judge on Wednesday in Arizona ruled that Jared L. Loughner, who killed 6 and wounded 13 others including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, is not mentally competent to stand trial, the New York Times reported.
U.S. District Judge Larry A. Burns of Tucson ruled that Loughner will be sent to a psychiatric facility until Sept. 21. At that point, a hearing will be held to revisit his competency, the New York Times reported.
If his status remains the same, he’ll be periodically re-evaluated.
“At the present time, Mr. Loughner does not have a rational understanding of these proceedings,” Judge Burns said, according to the Times.
The Times reported that the judge issued the ruling minutes after Loughner, 22, was dragged out of the courtroom. At one point he shouted, according to the Times:
“Thank you for the freak show. She died right in front of me. You’re treasonous.”
