Suspect in shooting of US politician could face trial

Sep 29, 2011, 0:33 GMT

Los Angeles - The suspected shooter of US Congreswoman Gabbrielle Giffords could be mentally fit to stand trial for murder if he continues responding to the psychiatric treatment he has been receiving at a federal prison, a government psychologist said Wednesday.

Dr Christina Pietz was testifying at a court hearing to evaluate the mental state of Jared Lee Loughner, who is accused of killing six people and injuring 13, including Giffords, when he opened fire at a political meeting in January.

Pietz, who has treated Loughner, 23, for four months with psychotropic and anti-depressant medications, told the Tucscon, Arizona court that Loughner now understood that he had killed people and felt remorse for his actions, even though he was still delusional. She said that it was likely that he would be able to stand trial if he was given another eight months of treatment.

'He has already made improvements, and he has only been on medication for 60 days,' she said, according to the Arizona Republic. 'Given the progress he has made today, I have no reason to think he wouldn't continue to make progress.'

Loughner was in court for the hearing and in contrast to his last court appearance in May when he was forcibly removed after ranting at the judge, he sat still and silent throughout the proceedings.

Loughner has pleaded not guilty to 49 charges stemming from the January 8 shooting.