The man accused of killing six people in an Arizona shooting rampage can receive medical treatment for another four months , a federal judge ruled Monday after reviewing a report from a psychologist that found `` measurable progress '' in the suspect 's condition . The medical treatment plan for Jared Loughner -- aimed at improving his mental state , so he would be competent to stand trial -- was set to expire on Wednesday . On Monday , U.S. District Judge Larry Burns decided to extend that treatment until at least June 7 , Ninth Circuit court spokesman David Madden said . Loughner , 23 , allegedly killed six people and wounded 13 others during a January 2011 meet-and-greet event for then-U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords outside a Tucson supermarket . Giffords , who was shot in the head , stepped down from her position in Congress last month in order to focus on her recovery . Prosecutors have said that Loughner suffers from schizophrenia , and his mental condition has been central to much of the related court proceedings since the mass shooting . Burns led Monday 's hearing from San Diego , where he is based . He is overseeing the case in part because one of the shooter 's victims was Arizona-based federal Judge John Roll . Prosecutors and defense attorneys participated from Tucson in Monday 's session by videoconference , according to Madden . The judge reviewed a report prepared by Dr. Christina Pietz , Loughner 's psychologist , indicating the suspect had made what Burns termed `` measurable progress '' toward competency . Burns made his decision to extend Loughner 's treatment based on that report , said the court spokesman . Neither the defense nor the prosecution presented any additional evidence . Pietz will notify Burns if she determines Loughner is competent before June 7 . Loughner was declared incompetent to stand trial last May after an initial evaluation term at a federal mental hospital in Springfield , Missouri , where he is now . Norway massacre suspect to remain in custody . In July , bizarre and suicidal actions by Loughner while in custody pushed a federal appeals panel to allow authorities to force the defendant to take anti-psychotic medication . Prosecutors said then that Loughner had been deteriorating : He displayed screaming and crying fits that lasted hours , harmed himself and made claims that the radio was inserting thoughts into his head , they said . His attorneys have consistently fought court rulings that Loughner continue his treatment at the Missouri hospital . In November , defense attorney Ellis Johnston argued before a different federal judge that the side effects of the psychotropic drugs he has been receiving during his court-ordered treatment may interfere with Loughner 's ability to work with his attorneys . But Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina Cabanillas said then that Loughner `` could revert to being a danger to himself '' if the medication were halted . `` It is his mental illness that is the cause of the danger in the hospital setting , '' Cabanillas told the court .
A judge rules Gabrielle Giffords can continue his medical treatment until Wednesday . The judge says a psychologist found `` measurable progress '' in Loughner 's mental state . He is accused of killing 6 people and wounding 6 others , including Jared Loughner . The medical treatment is aimed at getting Tucson competent to stand trial .