The man accused of the Arizona shooting attack that killed six people and wounded 13, including a US congresswoman, has pleaded not guilty to three attempted murder charges.
Jared Loughner, 22, entered the pleas over the attempted assassination of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and two of her assistants.
A federal grand jury indicted Mr Loughner last week on three counts of attempted murder - of Ms Giffords and aides Pam Simon and Ron Barber - but more charges are expected, and he could ultimately face the death penalty.
Those killed included a nine-year-old girl and an Arizona federal judge, John Roll.
No formal decision has yet been made on where to hold the trial, though defence attorney Judy Clarke said she would not object to it being in Tucson, adding: ‘We just have to figure out where Mr Loughner would be housed.’
Critics have suggested that Mr Loughner could escape justice because of his mental condition, but his attorney downplayed this prospect, telling judge Larry Burns: ‘We are not raising the issue of competency at this time.’
No members of Mr Loughner's family or victims of the shooting were present for the hearing, which lasted less than 15 minutes.
Another case hearing was scheduled for 9 March.
Judy Clarke is known for taking on difficult cases, including Unabomber Ted Kaczynski - an anarchist serving life without parole for a 20-year mail bombing spree - and 9/11 conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui.
The trial is being overseen by California federal judge Larry Burns, after all Arizona judges were disqualified because of the risk they could not be impartial, given the killing of one of their colleagues.
