Arizona shooting suspect pleads ‘not guilty’ to three attempted murder charges
By ANITuesday, January 25, 2011
LONDON - Jared Loughner, the man who has been accused of the Arizona shootings leading to the death of six people and injuring of 13 others, including Representative Gabrielle Giffords, has reportedly pleaded ‘not guilty’ to three attempted murder charges.
Appearing in U.S. District Court in Phoenix, the 22-year-old Loughner did not speak, but exhibited some bizarre behaviour and smiled broadly throughout the hearing, the BBC reports.
Loughner entered the pleas over the attempted assassination of Giffords and two aides. Charges in the six deaths and other injuries against the suspect are expected to follow.
Giffords, who was shot in the head on January 8 during her meeting with constituents at a supermarket in Tucson, Arizona, is at a rehabilitation centre in Texas.
Among the dead were a nine-year-old girl and federal judge John Roll, and federal prosecutors are now figuring out whether or not Loughner can be charged with a federal crime over his death.
Loughner could face the death penalty over the shootings, if found guilty. (ANI)
