Loughner to Speak at Trial—Through Videos He Made

Jared Loughner probably won't testify at his trial, but the jury will likely hear from him all the same, thanks to videotaped messages found on a computer at his home. In the videos, Loughner talks about various topics including assassination, an official tells the New York Times. “There are a lot of face-in-the-camera videos,” the official says, adding that he doesn't think Loughner mentions Gabrielle Giffords specifically. It is still unknown whether Loughner would testify, but a former US attorney following the case says “any defense attorney would handcuff him to the chair rather than have him testify."

The investigation into the shooting is now complete, and all the information from the FBI and the Pima County Sheriff's Office has been turned over to the US Attorney's Office, the AP adds. Meanwhile, prosecutors are looking into a legal theory that would allow them to bring federal charges against Loughner for the shooting of all 19 victims, rather than just the federal officials (Giffords and her two aides). However, such a novel approach may not be worth it, officials fear, because an appellate court could disagree with the approach and overturn a conviction. (Click for more on Giffords' latest breakthrough.)