Accused Tucson shooter loses latest bid to halt forced medication

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Accused Tucson shooter loses latest bid to halt forced medication

PHOENIX | Wed Jun 6, 2012 1:22am EDT

(Reuters) - Lawyers for the man accused of a deadly shooting spree last year that gravely wounded then-Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords lost their latest bid to halt forcible medication of their client by prison doctors seeking to restore his fitness for trial.

By a 2-1 vote, a panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a petition on Tuesday asking the court to reconsider its March 5 decision permitting staff at a federal prison hospital in Missouri to continue administering anti-psychotic drugs to Jared Loughner against his will.

The one-page order on Tuesday gave no reason for the panel's latest ruling.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/06/us-usa-loughner-arizona-idUSBRE85506C20120606

[slackmaster]

1. I have mixed feelings about forced medication, but it's good they are trying to hold Loughner...

...accountable for his actions.

Mental illness may be the main cause of his behavior, but mentally ill adults must be held responsible for what happens when they refuse help that is offered to them.