Jared Lee Loughner Profiled by the Media

Jared Lee Loughner is the man accused of killing six people, including a federal judge and a nine-year-old child, and wounding 14 others in Tucson, Arizona, on Saturday, January 8, 2011, says Broward criminal attorney Moore. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is among the wounded. Shot in the head at point-blank range, Giffords underwent surgery on her brain and remains in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

Loughner was forcibly detained at the scene of crime — a constituent “Congress on Your Corner” event held by Congresswoman Giffords at a local Safeway — by two individuals who were present at the event, notes Fort Lauderdale criminal attorney Moore. The gun used to carry out the slayings was also recovered when law enforcement officials arrived.

The portrait of who Loughner is remains fuzzy, but there is evidence that he is a young man with a troubled past. Despite any evidence against him, it is important to understand that he is innocent until (and unless) proven guilty by a court of law. Sheriff’s deputies executed a search of the home of Loughner’s parents, where he lives. There, they reportedly took pieces of evidence from the home, including contents of a safe. Media reports state that the safe contained an envelope with writing including the name of Congresswoman Giffords, “I planned it,” and “my assassination.” Further, they found a letter inviting Loughner to a Congress on Your Corner event back in 2007. One acquaintance has stated that Loughner previously met the Congresswoman several years ago and was unimpressed with her.

Loughner’s online life has generated significant interest. YouTube and MySpace have both taken down the content he apparently put up, but Loughner apparently previously uploaded various anti-government videos in which he railed against issues such as currency not being backed by gold or silver. His favorite books included the Communist Manifesto and Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf, says Fort Lauderdale criminal attorney Moore.