PHOENIX – A judge has ruled that psychiatric assessments of the Tucson, Ariz., shooting rampage suspect should not be videotaped.
The Thursday order denies a request from defense attorneys who argued that videotapes would serve as a safeguard for Jared Lee Loughner's constitutional rights.
U.S. District Judge Larry Burns rejected that argument and ruled that a camera hindered a previous examination of Loughner.
Burns wrote that Loughner repeatedly questioned the need for the camera and once "reacted violently to it."
Burns says further videotaping could impede psychiatric assessments.
Loughner has been at a Springfield, Mo., facility since May 27 after being declared mentally unfit to assist in his defense.
He has pleaded not guilty to 49 charges in the Jan. 8 shooting that killed six and wounded 13, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
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