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Case to be moved to San Diego
January 16, 2011 (San Diego) – Larry Burns, a federal judge in the U.S. District Court’s Southern District in San Diego, has been assigned to preside over the case of Jarod Lee Loughner, the accused gunman in last week’s Arizona massacre. Loughner is accused of shooting 19 people in Tucson, Arizona, killing six. The dead include Arizona’s chief federal judge John Roll and a nine-year old girl. The injured include Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot through the brain.
Burns was appointed to handle the case after Arizona officials recused themselves. The Washington Post reports today that federal authorities plan to move the high-profile trial to San Diego due to extensive pre-trial publicity.
According to the Post, Arizona’s new chief judge, Roslyn O. Silver, will make the final decision about a venue change. But the Post cites a law enforcement official as saying “It’s going to happen.” Federal officials have told the Post that San Diego would get the case, as the closest judicial district to Arizona.
Loughner’s attorney, Judy Clarke, is also based in San Diego. It is widely expected that Clarke will ask for a change of venue due to extensive pre-trial publicity in Arizona.
Burns has presided over several prominent trials, notably disgraced Congressman Randy “Duke” Cunningham’s conviction on bribery charges and the the trial of Mexican drug cartel leader Francisco Javier Arellano Félix. He was appointed by President George W. Bush in 2003.
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