The face of crazy. Jared Loughner smirks for his mugshot and made his first court appearance for the deadly Arizona shootings left six dead and injured 14 others.
The suspect in the shooting of Arizona Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has been charged with two federal counts of murder and three federal counts of attempted murder after the Saturday shooting rampage in Tuscon. Six were killed and 14 injured. Chief U.S. District Judge John Roll was among those killed.
Loughner appeared in the Phoenix courtroom of U.S. Magistrate Judge Lawrence Anderson shortly and "appeared to understand what was happening" reports CNN.
Loughner wore a tan-colored prison outfit, and his head was shaved. He appeared nervous at first, according to [CNN's Ted] Rowlands. Loughner looked at the ceiling and his eyes darted back and forth. His hands and feet were shackled. Loughner sat next to his lawyer and seemed to acknowledge things she said, according to Rowlands.
During the proceeding, [Federal Public Defender] Judy Clarke expressed "great concern" about having Arizona judges involved with the case going forward, signaling that she may try to move the case out of state or have an outside judge brought in to handle it.
Once Anderson took the bench, Loughner made his way to a podium. The judge read the charges against him and asked Loughner a series of simple questions: "Are you Jared Lee Loughner?" "Do you understand the charges?" By Rowlands' account, the suspect appeared to understand what was happening. He answered the judge calmly and clearly, leaning forward into the microphone to be heard.
Loughner's next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 24. The 22-year-old could be sentenced to death or be given life in prison.
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, the target of alleged gunman Jared Loughner's shooting rampage, remains in critical condition in a medically induced coma. Doctors say it was a "miracle" that she survived a gunshot wound to the head at near point-blank range.
Watch ABC News' report AFTER THE JUMP ...
He's not too crazy to receive 50,00 volts of electricity! I'm glad he shaved his head, it will save time for the executioner. I really hope they make an example out of him and not make him an infamous celebrity. I know that this Palin/Beck/Limbaugh frankenstein creation will get press but I hope not too much, it will just breed others. It's a shame that due to the gun laws, any whack job can get a gun and ruin the lives of innocents and their families. My heart goes out to the dead and injured and their families.
Posted by: Distant Lover | 10 January 2011 at 20:04
That's more than a smirk. It's more like craZy pride in what he's done.
Posted by: Taylor Siluwé | 10 January 2011 at 20:07
#INcRAZYwHITEfolkNEWStoday.....
I hope they exercise the swiftest justice possible.. they need to set a new record time.. Trial/Conviction/Execution in 2weeks.
CaseClosed!
Posted by: Krimnal | 10 January 2011 at 20:10
He's crazy. Man with no conscience and heart. He badly needs a psychiatrist.
Posted by: online backup dc area | 10 January 2011 at 22:01
HE IS A NUTT JOB!!
Posted by: BLACK | 11 January 2011 at 09:49
A protrait is emerging about his parents. It appears that is father was a stay at home dad and his mother worked outside the home. Reports are that the family kept to themselves.
Posted by: Honut Sinti | 11 January 2011 at 10:31
he looks 40, not 22.
a cold and calculated killer
Posted by: ff | 11 January 2011 at 16:51
The death penalty is the only decision I'll tolerate...
Posted by: MW09 | 12 January 2011 at 16:27