Tuscon Gunman Not Competent Enough to Stand Trial

It’s shocking to think about how the mass shootings that killed six people and wounded 13 others in Tuscon, Arizona, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, was over four months ago. Jared Lee Loughner, the gunman behind the tragedy, had a hearing today in which a judge found that he is not competent enough to stand trial. The 22-year old was indicted in March on 49 counts, including murder and attempted-murder.

According to CNN, “during his hearing, Loughner was removed by marshals from the courtroom after an outburst, in which one reporter heard him say, "Thank you for the freak show. She died right in front of me," and "You're changing."

The larger issue here, according to former congressman Patrick Kennedy, is the importance of getting those with mental health problems the assistance and help they need. “It’s an irony that there’s no stigma towards Gabby [Giffords], and her brain injury, but [Loughner] has a brain injury as well, because clearly his brain was not working properly when he picked up that gun and shot all of those people.”

To find out more about this breaking news, check out the links and video below. And let us know if you have any sympathy for Jared Loughner in the same way that Mr. Kennedy does.

Judge rules Loughner is not competent to stand trial [CNN]

Giffords shooting accused unfit to stand trial [ABC News]

Jared Lee Loughner, gunman who shot Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson, judged unfit to stand trial [NY Daily News]