Suspect In Tucson Shootings Faces Competency Hearing Wednesday
May 25 2011, Published 7:00 a.m. ET
By Breaking Celebrity News Staff
His mug shot looked crazy -- but is he?
Jared Loughner, the suspect in the Tucson shooting rampage, will appear in federal court Wednesday for a hearing to determine whether he is mentally competent to stand trial.
Loughner, 22, spent five weeks in March and April at a federal facility in Missouri where he was examined by two court-appointed mental health professionals.
Last week, Loughner's attorney, Judy Clarke, and prosecutor Wallace Kleindienst both filed motions stating that neither side planned to dispute the psychological findings, indicating that the two specialists agreed in their assessment of Loughner -- whatever that assessment is.
Because of that, U.S. District Judge Larry A. Burns, who will preside over the competency hearing, will not call either doctor to testify.
Ultimately, it will be Judge Burns who will rule if Loughner is competent.
If he is declared competent, the case will move forward; however, if Loughner is found to be incompetent, he would be sent to a federal facility for a maximum of four months to see if he can be restored to