Arizona suspect denies charges Last Modified: 10 Mar 2011 02:34
GMT Jared Loughner is accused of opening fire on
US congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and a crowd of bystanders
attending a political event [AFP]  The suspect in the Arizona
shooting rampage that critically injured a US congresswoman has
pleaded not guilty to an expanded, 49-count indictment, accusing
him of killing six people and wounding 13 others.  The plea on
Wednesday came shortly before the federal judge presiding over
the case sided with prosecutors in ordering Jared Loughner to
undergo a psychiatric evaluation to determine whether he is
mentally competent to stand trial.  US District Judge Larry
Burns set a May 25 hearing date on competency despite objections
from defence lawyer Judy Clarke, who said such a proceeding was
premature and could interfere with her ability to build trust
with her client.  Loughner is accused of opening fire with a
semiautomatic pistol on US congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and
a crowd of bystanders attending a