Arizona Shooting Update: Jared Loughner Researched Assassins, Lethal Injection, Says Report
TUCSON, Ariz. (CBS/KOLD/AP) Jared Loughner, the suspect in the Arizona shooting rampage that left six dead and over a dozen wounded including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, researched political assassinations, solitary confinement and lethal-injection cases before the Jan. 8 massacre.
A source close to the investigation told The Washington Post that Loughner, who pleaded not guilty to federal charges Monday, looked at Internet sites on the process and effects of lethal injection.
"The impression investigators have is that he was trying to educate himself on assassinations and also research the consequences."
Prosecutors hope to use the information they have found on Loughner's computer, along with the notes seized in his home, to indicated that the 22-year-old was not insane and knows right from wrong. They have given Loughner's attorney, Judy Clark, the information they obtained from the computer, as well as discs containing about 250 interviews conducted by investigators, reports The Post.
Investigators have said that Loughner was mentally disturbed and acting erratically in the weeks leading up to the shooting; however, they hope this new evidence will work against Loughner who may claim mental incompetency as a defense.
So far, Loughner is charged with three counts of attempting to kill federal employees, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who is recovering from a gunshot wound to the head.
Giffords was transferred early Wednesday from Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center to TIRR Memorial Hermann, reports CBS affiliate KOLD.
COMPLETE COVERAGE OF THE ARIZONA SHOOTING FROM CBS NEWS
