A federal judge ruled Wednesday that the 22-year-old accused of shooting Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) is mentally unfit to stand trail.
U.S. District Judge Larry Burns’ ruling came after a competency hearing in Phoenix for suspect Jared Loughner, the Associated Press reported. It means that the trial will be suspended, and Loughner will be sent to a federal facility for up to four months in an attempt to restore his competency.
Loughner is accused of attacking a constituent event hosted by Giffords on Jan. 8 in Tucson, Ariz. Six people were killed, and 13, including Giffords, were wounded.
He has pleaded not guilty to the 49 federal charges against him.
House Democratic Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra and Rep. Joseph Crowley, vice chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, address a news conference immediately after the closed caucus meeting.
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