Rep. Giffords and husband to appear in court Thursday when shooter is sentenced
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, Mark Kelly, will be in federal court for the sentencing of Jared Loughner, the man who shot her in the head at an outdoor event to meet constituents in January 2011 in Tucson.
A source close to the family who was not authorized to release the information confirmed to The Associated Press that Giffords and Kelly would be in court Thursday, and that Kelly would make a statement.
The hearing is the first chance for victims to confront Loughner in court.
Loughner, who is now 24, pleaded guilty three months ago to 19 federal charges under an agreement that guarantees he will spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole. The deal calls for the dismissal of 30 other charges and a sentence of seven consecutive life terms, followed by 140 years in prison.
Loughner was diagnosed schizophrenic and underwent forcible drug treatments.
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