Jared Loughner to plead guilty in Tucson shooting, sources say

[alp227]

Source: LA Times

Jared Lee Loughner is set to plead guilty Tuesday in the shooting attack that severely wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, according to knowledgeable sources, as mental health officials believe he is now competent to understand the charges against him in the assault, which killed six people and injured 13 at a gathering with the congresswoman’s constituents in Tucson.

At the hearing Tuesday morning in U.S. District Court in Tucson, psychiatric experts who have examined Loughner, 23, are scheduled to testify that they have concluded that despite wide swings in his mental capacity, at this time he comprehends what happened and acknowledges the gravity of the charges, according to two sources who spoke on condition of anonymity because the case was still unfolding.

The terms of the plea arrangement remained unclear Saturday on whether Loughner would admit guilt to all or some of the charges in return for a lengthy prison sentence rather than risk a potential death penalty verdict at trial.

State prosecutors in Tucson initially said they would pursue charges against Loughner as well, but the federal government went first. They now would probably review their options and decide whether it would be wise to go forward.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-loughner-guilty-plea-20120804,0,4006905.story

[SoCalMusicLover]

1. Surprising

I'm a little disappointed if he ends up only getting life. He does not deserve to breathe this planet's air, nor be subsidized by the Arizona people for the rest of his miserable life.

The only good thing will be the pain it saves for the families, from not having to endure a trial. Though perhaps some of them would like an answer to the question of "why," but we may never resolve that one. Especially if there is no trial.

[Archae]

2. By pleading guilty, he avoids the death penalty.

I'm against the death penalty, period.

Loughner gets to avoid it.

[lunatica]

8. I'm against the death penalty also

And Loughner is not sane.

[customerserviceguy]

11. And having the DP on the books

Means that asshats like Loughner and their attorneys can 'save face' by pleading down to life without possibility of parole, and save us all the expense and heartache of a trial and endless appeals. That's what the vast majority of death sentences turn out to be in the end, anyway.

[Kalidurga]

3. The way we do sentencing in this country is BS.

Jared Lee Loughner is probably still mentally disturbed. It was clear he was at the time of his crime very mentally disturbed. I don't think it is or was an act. I really hate that these shootings happen. But, it gives me no pleasure to publicly call for them to be executed or spend time in prison without any kind of a treatment plan. I don't think Loughner should ever be allowed outside of an institution. But, he needs to be found incompetent, but guilty. There are a lot of people that have mental health issues that don't do violent crimes. We need to find out what it is that makes some people that have mental health issues violent while most are not.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

4. Imagine putting him in a cell with that Joker guy

and then having the conversations between them reviewed by mental health professionals.

[4th law of robotics]

6. That would probably make for a highly successful sitcom.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

10. Back in 75 there was a short lived sitcom called "On the Rocks" that took place in prison

It was pretty damn funny. Every time the question came up, "What are you in for?" the answer was, "Gross miscarriage of justice."

One guy said if he had learned to read he wouldn't be in there. Turns out what he couldn't read was the sign saying the place had a silent alarm straight to the cops. Another guy was in for multiple counts of grand theft auto. He'd stolen one of those trucks that carries cars to the dealership.

It followed, "Barney Miller" and only lasted one season.

[SemperEadem]

5. a person who can turn a gun

on a 9 yr old girl who never did anything to him isn't insane--he's a cold, calculated killer.

[lunatica]

7. Of course he's insane

[Ash_F]

9. How would you define insanity?

Sounds pretty insane to me. Being insane does not equal being absolved or "let off" so it is ok to just accept the fact. Don't worry he's not going anywhere.

[susanr516]

12. I don't believe in the death penalty

I do hope that Loughner is never released from custody.