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Tucson killer checked out death penalty online

A MAN accused in the deadly Tucson shooting rampage researched the death penalty, lethal injections, solitary confinement and political assassinations before the attack.

A source close to the investigation into 22-year-old Jared Loughner revealed yesterday that a review of his computers turned up the internet searches. Officials with the FBI and US Justice Department declined to comment.

Mr Loughner's alleged actions could help prosecutors as they begin the process of pursuing charges that could lead to the federal death penalty. The shootings on January 8 left six dead and 13 wounded, including congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Mr Loughner has pleaded not guilty.

Irish Independent