Loughner to be evaluated in Springfield, Missouri

The suspected shooter of Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and others has been ordered to be transferred to Springfield, Missouri for a mental evaluation.

Federal Judge Larry Burns issued the order on Monday, saying an exam has to be conducted at the Springfield facility by April 29.

Burns said the Springfield prison has the most accomodating mental health unit to evaluate Jared Loughner on whether he was sane at the time of the shooting or whether he is sound enough to stand trial.

Loughner's public defender Judy Clarke has argued moving Loughner could make his mental state worse, as he would have no contact with his public defender during his stay in Missouri.

A spokeswoman for the Springfield Bureau of Prisons said the facility's mental health unit evaluates and treats 300 of the 1,100 inmates who are at the prison or are transferred there.

Loughner is accused of killing U.S. District Judge John Roll and five others

Meghann Mollerus, Missouri Digital News

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