PHOENIX (AP) - The man who pleaded guilty to a deadly Arizona shooting
rampage that wounded former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was sentenced to life
in prison Thursday.
U.S. District Judge Larry Burns sentenced 24-year-old
Jared Lee Loughner for the January 2011 attack that left six people dead and
Giffords and others wounded.
Loughner pleaded guilty to federal charges under an
agreement that guarantees he will spend the rest of his life in prison without
the possibility of parole.
The hearing marked the first time victims - including
Giffords - could confront Loughner in court.
Her astronaut husband, Mark Kelly, did all the talking for
her, as the couple looked at Loughner and told him how his deadly rampage at the
former congresswoman's political meeting had upended her life.
"Her life has been forever changed. Plans she had for our
family and her career have been immeasurably altered," Kelly said. "Every day is
a continuous struggle to do those things she once was so good at."
Loughner showed no emotion, and looked at the other
victims. His mother sobbed nearby.
"Mr. Loughner, you may have put a bullet through her head
but you haven't put a dent in her spirit and her commitment to make the world a
better place," Kelly said.
Giffords kissed Kelly when he was done. He grabbed her
hand and they walked away, with her limping.
Earlier, Loughner told Burns that he will not be speaking
at the hearing.
Loughner pleaded guilty three months ago to 19 federal
charges under an agreement that guarantees he will spend the rest of his life in
prison without the possibility of parole.
Both sides reached the deal after a judge declared that
Loughner was able to understand the charges against him. After the shooting, he
was diagnosed with schizophrenia and underwent forcible psychotropic drug
treatments.
At the hearing, Loughner, who wore dress pants and a dark
brown shirt with a tie, heard from his victims.
"We've been told about your demons, about the illness that
skewed your thinking," said Susan Hileman, at times visibly shaking, to
Loughner. "Your parents, your schools, your community, they all failed you.
"It's all true," Hileman said. "It's not enough."
"You pointed a weapon and shot me three times," she said,
staring directly at Loughner. He looked back at her. "And now I walk out of this
courtroom and into the rest of my life and I won't think of you again."
Some victims, including Giffords, welcomed the plea deal
as a way to move on. It spared victims and their families from having to go
through a potentially lengthy and traumatic trial and locks up the defendant for
life.
Christina Pietz, the court-appointed psychologist who
treated Loughner, had warned that although Loughner was competent to plead
guilty, he remained severely mentally ill and his condition could deteriorate
under the stress of a trial.
When Loughner first arrived at a Missouri prison facility
for treatment, he was convinced Giffords was dead, even though he was shown a
video of the shooting. He eventually realized she was alive after he was
forcibly medicated.
It's unknown whether Pima County prosecutors, who have
discretion on whether to seek the death penalty against Loughner, will file
state charges against him. Stephanie Coronado, a spokeswoman for Pima County
Attorney Barbara LaWall, said Wednesday that no decision had been made.
It's unclear where Loughner will be sent to serve his
federal sentence. He could return to a prison medical facility like the one in
Springfield, Mo., where he's been treated for more than a year. Or he could end
up in a prison such as the federal lockup in Florence, Colo., that houses some
of the country's most notorious criminals, including Oklahoma City bombing
conspirator Terry Nichols and "Unabomber" Ted Kaczynski.
Courtesy: ABC
