Arizona Shooter ared Lee Loughner’s Health, Sanity in Question

Arizona Shooter ared Lee Loughner's Health, Sanity in Question (Credit: SearchNet Media)

A U.S. district court judge has ruled that medication can continue to be forcibly administered to the man accused of killing six people Jan. 8 in Arizona, a shooting spree that also severely injured U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.

Jared Lee Loughner has been determined by mental-health experts to be schizophrenic, and to what extent he can be forced to take medication that might stabilize him enough to stand trial has become a thorny issue for courts.

The Associated Press is reporting that Loughner was forcibly medicated for a couple weeks earlier this summer, but that the 9^thCircuit Court of Appeals halted the actions. The prison resumed forced medication July 18, arguing that without the medication Loughner was a danger to himself and others. Although appearing to violate the court’s order, U.S. District Judge Larry Burns said the forced medication was “entirely appropriate” in light of Loughner’s non-medicated behavior, which reportedly includes refusing to sleep or eat.

Loughner is on a suicide watch in prison, and his psychologist said he can very abruptly become distraught and began weeping uncontrollably. Loughner pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the 49 charges against him, but even during preliminary court appearances he has behaved erratically and shown an inability even to sit quietly.

Giffords and others were gunned down during an appearance at an Arizona supermarket. Giffords – considered a rising star in her Democratic party, was severely injured. The shooting initially prompted a national discussion about the tone of discourse in politics, as Giffords had previously appeared on TV and stated that she was made uncomfortable by a prominent Republican releasing a map that showed gun sights over various Democratic congressional districts, including Giffords’.  Giffords has slowly recovered from her injuries, occasionally making public appearances and even appearing on the floor of Congress recently.