Loughner Researched Lethal Injection Before Tucson Shooting, Sources Say

Washington Post ^ | January 26, 2011 | Staff

[lbryce]

- In the days and weeks before the shooting rampage in Tucson, Jared Lee Loughner surfed the Internet on his home computer in what investigators believe was preparation for his alleged assassination attempt, law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation said.

The suspect's focus on several Web sites - covering lethal injection, solitary confinement and political assassinations - could have dramatic implications as prosecutors build their case against him on federal murder charges that could carry the death penalty. They hope to use the computer information, along with notes seized in Loughner's home, to show that his acts were premeditated and that he knew right from wrong, the sources said.

The computer analysis, which was completed last week, was turned over to Loughner's attorney, Judy Clarke, at a court hearing last week, along with notes from 250 interviews conducted thus far. Clarke, who has also represented Unabomber Ted Kaczynski and other high-profile defendants, did not indicate whether she intends to pursue an insanity defense.

Police seized Loughner's computer when they searched his family home in Tucson on Jan. 8, shortly after the shooting outside a Safeway that killed six people and injured 13 others, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.). Loughner, 22, has entered a plea of not guilty in connection with federal charges.

"The impression investigators have is that he was trying to educate himself on assassinations and also research the consequences," said one source close to the investigation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing.

Legal experts say evidence from the computer hard drives would pose a significant hurdle in pursuing an insanity defense.

[lbryce]

The implications of what law enforcement says Loughner had sought information about on the web as documented on his computer on assassinations, assassins, lethal injection, has profound consequences for him as to the crimes committed.

That juries have returned guilty verdicts based only on the telltale trails left by criminals on their computer researching various subject matter related to their crimes, indicates the seriousness of what officials have uncovered about Loughner, his state of mind, in the period leading up to the Tucson murders.

Loughner was already way in deep up to his neck in culpability. If capital punishment is deemed appropriate in this case, this is the evidence that will help facilitate death by lethal injection, a subject he researched on just the sort of punishment he was subjecting himself to.

[Question Liberal Authority]

If only I had a nickel for every time someone at a Tea Party rally was going on and on about lethal injection, solitary confinement and political assassination.

[texteacher]

“Suicide by court” when “suicide by cop” does not happen? He does deserve the death penalty, but it is hard to ignore the outbursts in college and believe he was fully functioning.

[2banana]

All your google searches belong to us...

[goldstategop]

That’s not a paranoid schizophrenic. That’s a sociopath. He knew perfectly well what he was doing. I guarantee you he is anything but crazy!

[FlingWingFlyer]

Why are they screwing around with this moron? I thought the Cockeyed Cowboys of Pima County, the Kos Kommie Kiddies and the DUmpster DUmmies had already proven that Sarah, Rush, Glenn and the TEA Party Gang did the shootin’!

[Crim]

I hope they make this list public at some point...I’m already betting where loughner picked up his truther crap...

[baltoga]

I think you hit the nail on the head. We’re dealing with a sociopath. Nothing more and nothing less. A person incapable of human feeling and no empathy for others.

[Pelham]

He’s more likely a high functioning schizophrenic. A sociopath wouldn’t be babbling about the bizarre language and currency world of Loughner’s imagination. And the spooky behavior that got him booted from college fit schizophrenia, not so much a sociopath.

[Lancey Howard]

I hope his research is concluded appropriately.
It almost sounds like “suicide by state”, via a mass murder rampage.

[pepsionice]

Up until this point....I thought he could just claim insanity and likely just be put into a mental hospital. He had absolute comprehension over what he was thinking and doing. I suspect this really takes his lawyer down a notch.