Arizona gunman makes initial court appearance to face charges

[News_Editor]

Arizona gunman makes initial court appearance to face charges

2011-01-11 11:41:53 GMT+7 (ICT)

PHOENIX (BNO NEWS) -- Jared Lee Loughner, who has been charged with the attempted assassination of U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords on Saturday, made his initial court appearance on Monday.

The shooting happened at about 10.11 a.m. MST at a supermarket in northwest Tucson on Saturday where Giffords was hosting her first "Congress on Your Corner" of the year. Loughner, 22, opened fire, killing six people and injuring 13 others.

Among the fatalities were 9-year-old Christina Greene and U.S. District Judge John Roll. U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who appears to have been the target, was critically injured as a result of a gunshot wound to her head.

Loughner is now facing five counts in the federal complaint. These are for the attempted murder of Giffords, the unlawful killing of Giffords' staff member Gabriel Zimmerman, the unlawful killing of Roll, the attempted murder of Pamela Simon, and the attempted murder of Ron Barber.

As a result of Loughner's initial appearance in federal court on Monday, Magistrate Judge Lawrence Anderson decided to detain Loughner because he is accused of a crime of violence. He will remain in federal custody pending a detention hearing.

"This office is reviewing all the evidence in the case, consulting with the victims and their families of these crimes and teaming and coordinating with our law enforcement partners. We will consider all appropriate charges at the indictment stage of the case," said U.S. Attorney Dennis K. Burke. "I have been in consistent contact with Attorney General Eric Holder as well as Deputy Attorney General Cole, apprising them of the developments in this case. We are devoting all the necessary resources that a case of this magnitude demands from our office and the Department of Justice. We are focused and we are determined to achieve justice."

While more charges are possible and expected, Loughner already faces the death penalty for the murder of Judge Roll if he is found guilty. In addition, he also faces life imprisonment for the attempted assassination of Giffords if he is found guilty.

On Sunday, prosecutors also released the 'statement of probable cause' by FBI Special Agent Tony Taylor, providing more details about the events. "Your affiant reviewed a digital surveillance video depicting the events at the Safeway; in the video, Judge Roll is seen speaking for several minutes with Mr. Barber," Taylor wrote, adding that Loughner then opened fire.

"Loughner was apprehended at the scene after bystanders tackled and disarmed him," Taylor added. "At the scene, law enforcement recovered the handgun used by Loughner, a Glock semi-automatic pistol."

According to the statement, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) determined that Loughner purchased the Glock pistol on November 30 at Sportsman's Warehouse in Tucson. This was confirmed by store receipts and video.

Further, Taylor stated that evidence was seized from a safe at Loughner's residence in Tucson. This includes a letter dated August 30, 2007 from Giffords to Loughner, thanking Loughner for attending a "Congress on your Corner" event in Tucson.

"Also recovered in the safe was an envelope with handwriting on the envelope stating 'I planned ahead,' and 'My assassination' and the name 'Giffords,' along with what appears to be Loughner's signature," Taylor added.

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