Over the past weekend of January 8th, 2011, a rampage outside of a grocery story was initiated in Tucson Arizona. Six people were killed in the attack, 14 people were wounded and within those 14 people U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was wounded and still remains in critical condition. A twenty-two year old young man by the name of Jared Lee Loughner has been charged with several crimes. His charges include two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder and one count of attempting to kill a member of Congress.
Many understand this rampage to be an assassination attempt on Giffords due to the weighing evidence. Federal district judge John Roll was killed as well as a member of Gifford’s staff. Two members of Giffords’ staff were wounded. Investigators found a letter from Giffords addressed to Loughner in a safe within Loughner’s home, thanking him for attending an event that took place in 2007. In the safe investigators also found an envelope with Loughner’s writings and signature on it describing plans and assassination connected to Giffords name.
Researchers are currently looking into whether the office of Barbara LaWall, Pima County Attorney and a close connection to Giffords and Judge Roll, may proceed with its charges simultaneously. LaWall may have to wait until the work of federal officials is completed. It is likely that Arizona prosecutors will also issue charges against Loughner. Loughner has already appeared in court in Phoenix Arizona and will likely face trial. Loughner could face the death penalty if he is convicted of murder. In court Loughner did not make an indication of fighting the charges set against him. Loughner was also not asked how he would plead in the case. A preliminary hearing for the 24th of January has already been set.
These shootings are certainly a tragedy. Innocent people were killed and wounded. Salcido Law Firm’s heart goes out to the victims of these terrible crimes and hopes that government officials will maintain level heads in addressing the killings so as not to pass legislation which infringes on the rights of everyone because of the bad acts of Mr. Loughner.
