by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
A federal grand jury has issued the first in a set of charges in the indictment of Jared Loughner, the man accused of attempting to assassinate U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Loughner is accused of shooting Giffords in a rampage that left six people dead and injured 13 during a January 8 visit at a grocery store. Loughner has thus far been charged with an attempted assassination of Giffords, along with attempted murder of her two aides, Ron Barber and Pam Simon. He has also been charged with two counts of first degree murder in the death U.S. District Judge John M. Roll and one of Giffords' aides. More charges are expected to be released soon.
U.S. Attorney Dennis K. Burke mentioned that the three charges are just the beginning of legal action against Loughner.
"This case also involves potential death-penalty charges, and Department [of Justice] rules require us to pursue a deliberate and thorough process," said Burke in a public statement.
