Loughner lawyers fight forced medication

SAN FRANCISCO, July 22 (UPI) -- Tucson shooting-spree suspect Jared Loughner is being forcibly medicated in prison in violation of a court order, his attorneys charge.

Loughner's lead attorney, Judy Clarke of San Diego, filed an emergency motion with the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco Thursday, demanding enforcement of a July 12 order that he not be given anti-psychotic drugs against his will, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Clarke wants the U.S. Bureau of Prisons to provide daily records of Loughner's treatment for schizophrenia at the federal prison hospital in Springfield, Mo., to assure its compliance.

Loughner, charged with 49 felonies in the Jan. 8 shooting that killed six and wounded 13, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., was ruled incompetent for trial in May.

The 9th Circuit Court's order halting forced administration of anti-psychotics let prison doctors give Loughner sedatives if he was deemed a danger to himself or others.

Robert Sherwood of the U.S. attorney's office in Tucson said prosecutors have no role in Loughner's treatment in prison.