Loughner lawyer defended anti-Jewish gunman

The lawyer for the man in court over the shooting of a Jewish Congresswoman and killing of six others in Arizona previously defended a white supremacist who attacked a California Jewish centre in 1999.

Jared Loughner, 22, appeared in court yesterday for the attack on Gabrielle Giffords as she spoke at a political event in Tucson.

He was represented by Judy Clarke, a lawyer known for defending notorious clients including the "Unabomber" Ted Kaczynski, and for securing life sentences rather than the death penalty for several high-profile clients.

Ms Clarke, 58, was part of the legal team for white supremacist Buford Furrow Jr, who went on a shooting spree at the Los Angeles centre in 1999. There were 250 children playing in the centre when he opened fire.