District Judge Larry A. Burns ruled that Loughner was not capable of understanding the charges brought against him and could not participate in his own defense. Burns based his decision partially on the findings from separate examinations, which were conducted by a psychiatrist and a psychologist.
Christina Pietz, a staff psychologist at the Bureau of Prisons' Medical Center for Federal Prisons in Springfield, Missouri performed the initial evaluation. Burns appointed Dr. Matthew Carroll, a forensic psychiatrist in Southern California, to provide a second opinion. It was determined that Loughner suffers from schizophrenia. Neither prosecutors nor defense attorneys argued against the findings, signaling that both sides recognize Loughner as a disturbed individual. The defense, however, chose not to have Loughner evaluated and has yet to reveal its position on Loughner's mental competency. Lougner's lawyers did request that federal officials notify them if Loughner is to receive psychotropic medication while in treatment.
As a result of Burn's ruling, Loughner will be sent to a federal mental health facility, where professionals will attempt to restore his competence so that he can stand trial. He is due back for a re-evaluation and another competency hearing in September. The state of Arizona has also brought charges against Loughner but will not address those charges in court until the federal trial has finished. However, if Loughner's sanity cannot be restored, the federal government may not release him for trial at all.
Charges against Loughner are based on his alleged attack on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in a Tucson shopping center. The attack took the lives of John M. Roll, a federal district judge; Gabriel M. Zimmerman, Gifford's staff member; Dorothy J. Morris; Phyllis C. Schneck; Dorwan C. Stoddard; and nine-year-old Christina-Taylor Green. Gifford received a bullet through the brain and is currently mending from a surgery in which a synthetic bone and shunt were implanted into her skull.
According to those who knew him, Loughner's behavior had become unpredictable over the past few of years. He dropped out of high school in 2006 after a relationship fell apart. He was fired from his job at a deli when a severe change in his personality became too obvious to ignore. He reportedly abused alcohol and drugs and was determined to be ''unqualified'' for service by the Army. Following a number of outbursts, he was forced to leave Tucson Community College. Loughner's troubled behavior was also documented by a number of YouTube videos.
