Jared Loughner to be forced to take anti-psychotic medication

[alp227]

Source: CNN

(CNN) -- Bizarre and suicidal actions of Arizona shooting suspect Jared Lee Loughner have pushed a federal appeals panel to reverse an earlier decision and allow authorities to force him to take anti-psychotic medication.

The three-judge panel for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals based in San Francisco had ruled on July 12 that Loughner can refuse anti-psychotic medication.

But since that ruling, Loughner, who has been diagnosed as schizophrenic, has deteriorated, prosecutors said.

He's had screaming and crying fits that last hours, he has harmed himself and claims that the radio was inserting thoughts into his head, prosecutors said.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/07/27/arizona.loughner.medication/index.html

[WillParkinson]

1. I'm of mixed emotions about this...

If Mr. Loughner was schizophrenic when he committed his acts then I'm uncertain if he can be ruled competent to pay for those acts. I'm not certain how I feel about making him competent and then trying him for something he may have done when he had no control over his actions.

[iwishiwas]

2. I know what you mean but then again, they could just

put him in a psy institute for the rest of his life??

[Yo_Mama]

4. Whether he is ever found competent to stand trial

is a separate issue as to whether he can ever be found guilty and sane with respect to the shooting deaths and injuries.

He is guilty but insane, and he will be confined to a mental institution for the rest of his life. At this point, standing trial won't change much about his eventual fate.

There is no question that he was schizophrenic long before the shootings. There is a wealth of evidence, including written accounts by law officers.

[BadtotheboneBob]

8. Absolutely agree...

... leave him , as is, and court-ordered 'committed' for the remainder of his lifetime.

[FarPoint]

10. I am just fine with it....

He was was quite capable of securing a weapon, selecting his prime target at an outdoor venue and he was on time for the event. Sounds like clear thinking to me.

[jerseyjack]

3. He can be ruled competent for trial but still judged insane at time of crime.

[SkyDaddy7]

5. Does anyone know how they go about...

forcing someone to take medicine? In this case anti-psychotic medication? I would think it would be near impossible to get someone to open their mouth & take medication especially if they are in a psychotic rage. Do they inject it if someone will not take it orally?

Just curious.

Oh yeah, I would have to agree they should force him especially if he is hurting himself & obviously if he is a threat to others. We can't just let him bounce of walls until he is dead...Or at least if we want to be a humane society. I could understand completely those who say let him bang himself to death especially if he killed their family members but I think we have to what is best for him & especially those who have to work around him.

[PADemD]

6. They can give monthly injections.

[SkyDaddy7]

7. Ok, Thanks. nt.

[freedom fighter jh]

9. Most likely it's his lawyers, not Loughner himself, objecting to the meds

They may not have to force him.

And even if they do, it's probably just a matter of getting several people to hold him down so that one person can jab a needle into his arm.