Jared Lee Loughner's booking photo
A federal judge has ruled that Jared Loughner must spend four months more at a U.S. prison hospital where he's being forcibly medicated in a bid to make him competent to stand trial in the attempted assassination of former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, the Associated Press says.
In San Diego, U.S. District Court Judge Larry Burns extended the stay because the psychologist treating the 23-year-old Loughner said he is making progress at the facility in Springfield, Mo.
Loughner has pleaded not guilty to 49 charges stemming from the Jan. 8, 2011, shooting near Tucson that killed six people and wounded Giffords and 12 others.
Giffords, a Democrat, resigned last month to focus on her recovery after being shot in the head.
By Michael Winter, USA TODAY