February 12, 2011 10:25 AM
Feds to Oppose Moving Tucson Shooting Trial
The Justice Department will oppose any effort to move the trial of alleged Tucson gunman Jared Lee Loughner out of Arizona, a senior Department of Justice official told CBS News.
"The Department plans to bring the case in Arizona, and will oppose any change of venue motions," said Tracy Schmaler, a deputy director of public affairs at the DOJ.
Complete Coverage: Tragedy in Tucson
The Washington Post had reported that federal authorities are planning on moving the trial to San Diego, Calif., because of the "extensive pretrial publicity in Arizona" The paper based its report on unnamed federal law enforcement sources.
One of the victims killed in the Jan. 8, 2011, massacre is John McCarthy Roll, who was Arizona's chief federal judge. All federal judges in Arizona have recused themselves from the case.
Judge Larry Burns, a San Diego-based federal judge was appointed to the case last week.
"60 Minutes" aired a good-bye message Sunday left by shooting suspect Jared Loughner that was left on a friend's cell phone.
"Hey. Hey it's Jared. I just want to tell you 'good times.' Peace out. Later," he said in the message.
A video Loughner made at Pima Community College shows another glimpse into his troubled mind, reports CBS News correspondent Ben Tracy.
"This is my genocide school where I'm gonna be homeless because of this school," Loughner said in the video.
Many are still asking why this all happened, which Loughner's former friends have said is what he wanted.
"He knew that his friends were going to come out and speak about him and people were going to try to understand him," said Tyler Conway, a former friend of Loughner's.
Loughner is in federal custody in Phoenix. Sources tell CBS News he is in segregation spending 23 hours a day alone.
"The Department plans to bring the case in Arizona, and will oppose any change of venue motions," said Tracy Schmaler, a deputy director of public affairs at the DOJ.
Complete Coverage: Tragedy in Tucson
The Washington Post had reported that federal authorities are planning on moving the trial to San Diego, Calif., because of the "extensive pretrial publicity in Arizona" The paper based its report on unnamed federal law enforcement sources.
One of the victims killed in the Jan. 8, 2011, massacre is John McCarthy Roll, who was Arizona's chief federal judge. All federal judges in Arizona have recused themselves from the case.
Judge Larry Burns, a San Diego-based federal judge was appointed to the case last week.
"60 Minutes" aired a good-bye message Sunday left by shooting suspect Jared Loughner that was left on a friend's cell phone.
"Hey. Hey it's Jared. I just want to tell you 'good times.' Peace out. Later," he said in the message.
A video Loughner made at Pima Community College shows another glimpse into his troubled mind, reports CBS News correspondent Ben Tracy.
"This is my genocide school where I'm gonna be homeless because of this school," Loughner said in the video.
Many are still asking why this all happened, which Loughner's former friends have said is what he wanted.
"He knew that his friends were going to come out and speak about him and people were going to try to understand him," said Tyler Conway, a former friend of Loughner's.
Loughner is in federal custody in Phoenix. Sources tell CBS News he is in segregation spending 23 hours a day alone.
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