Arizona shooting accused pleads not guilty

LOS ANGELES - Jared Lee Loughner, who is accused of shooting Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords earlier this month, pleaded not guilty Monday on three federal counts related to the deadly attack.

An attorney for the 22-year-old college dropout asked the court in Phoenix, Arizona to enter a not-guilty plea on behalf of her client. A further status hearing is set for March 9.

Six people were killed and 13 were injured in the attack at a shopping mall in Tucson, Arizona Jan 8 when Loughner allegedly opened fire as Giffords was meeting constituents. Giffords was gravely injured in a shot to the head, but survived and was moved last week to Houston for rehabiltation.

Reporters in the courtroom said that Loughner did not talk during the hearing but did smile continually throughout the proceedings.

Loughner will face further charges in state and federal courts that could see him face the death penalty if found guilty.