Tucson gunman can be forced to take anti-psychotic drugs, judge rules

Reporting from San Diego—
Accused Tucson gunman Jared Lee Loughner can be forced to take anti-psychotic drugs, a federal judge ruled at an emergency hearing.

"I defer to medical doctors," U.S. District Judge Larry Burns said. "I have no reason to disagree with doctors. I didn't go to medical school."

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Loughner, 22, is accused of killing six people and wounding 13 others during a Jan. 8 shooting rampage as Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was greeting constituents. Giffords, an Arizona Democrat, was shot in the head but survived.

Photos: Rep. Gabrielle Giffords shooting in Arizona

Loughner has been declared mentally incompetent to stand trial, at least for now. He faces 49 felony charges, including murder and attempted murder, and has pleaded not guilty.

His lawyers asked Burns to block doctors from medicating Loughner without his consent.

Loughner has been at a federal prison facility in Springfield, Mo., since late May, under the care of mental health specialists. Under federal rules, their task is to make him psychologically fit to stand trial.

In court filings, prosecutors detailed Loughner's outbursts while incarcerated: spitting at his attorney, cursing and throwing a chair at a psychiatrist, and throwing a roll of wet toilet paper at a camera.

Burns has twice rejected defense requests that Loughner's attorneys be notified before he is given anti-psychotic drugs.

Burns was selected to hear the case after all federal judges in Arizona recused themselves because one of their colleagues, John Roll, was among those killed.

Photos: Rep. Gabrielle Giffords shooting in Arizona