TUCSON — Jared Lee Loughner pleaded guilty Tuesday to the Tucson shooting attack last year that killed six people and wounded 13, including then-Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. A federal judge here concluded that Loughner understands at this time that he's responsible for opening fire during a congressional constituent meeting in a parking lot.
Loughner pleaded guilty to 19 of the 49 charges against him. "I plead guilty," he said over and over in court, acknowledging that he killed a 9-year-old girl and a federal judge and seriously wounded Giffords and a dozen other people.
The plea arrangement -- struck between federal prosecutors and defense attorneys after months of legal debate over Loughner's mental capacity -- sets the stage for a likely prison sentence of life without parole.
TIMELINE: Deadliest U.S. mass shootings
The defense wanted the government to agree not to seek the death penalty, and it received that assurance under the plea agreement.
"It is my hope that this decision will allow the Tucson community, and the nation, to continue the healing process free of what would likely be extended trial and pretrial proceedings that would not have a certain outcome. The prosecutors and agents assigned to this matter have done an outstanding job and have ensured that justice has been done," said U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr.
"In making the determination not to seek the death penalty, I took into consideration the views of the victims and survivor families, the recommendations of the prosecutors assigned to the case, and the applicable law," he added.
Loughner will be sentenced Nov. 15.
Prosecutors had initially considered the death penalty for Loughner, while defense lawyers had sought to prove him mentally unstable to stand trial. The wrangling put his criminal trial on hold for months as psychiatric experts evaluated him during sessions at a federal prison hospital in Springfield, Mo.
Dr. Christina Pietz, a prison psychologist, said Loughner had at one point called himself a "failure" because he had not killed Giffords. After he received medication, he began to understand what he had done, Pietz said, becoming remorseful, especially about killing 9-year-old Christina-Taylor Green, Pietz said.
Loughner left behind a note suggesting he was plotting the Jan. 8, 2011, attack, which the government suggested showed he knew what he was doing. But his friends and co-workers said the 23-year-old Tucson man became mentally unbalanced after dropping out of school and losing his job, signs that he was suffering from deep mental trauma.
A compromise was reached when the experts concluded that Loughner currently understands what he did and comprehends the gravity of the charges against him. The sides then agreed to the plea bargain.
The shooting occurred at a crowded Congress on Your Corner event. Among those injured was Ron Barber, a Giffords aide who now holds her seat in Congress.
"There leaves no question in my mind he understands what's going on today," U.S. District Judge Larry A. Burns said in accepting Loughner's guilty plea.
ALSO:
Ohio man suspected of killing wife asks judge, 'Is she not dead?'
Sikh temple shooter was 'kind, gentle' as a boy, stepmother says
'Dead' N.Y. man stopped for speeding -- and grief turns to outrage
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario