TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — The man accused of wounding Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in a deadly shooting rampage is scheduled Wednesday to make his first court appearance since an angry outburst got him kicked out of a May competency hearing.

 

Jared Lee Loughner's mental status is again the order of business, as a judge decides whether it's likely the 23-year-old can be made competent to stand trial.

 

But this time around, Loughner will be under the effects of psychotropic drugs, which he has been forced to take the past 60 days.

 

U.S. District Judge Larry Burns will decide whether to grant prosecutors' request to extend Loughner's stay at a Missouri prison facility by another eight months. A psychologist told the court that Loughner remains mentally unfit to stand trial, but that the extended stay would give him time to improve and become competent.

 

Burns may also discuss whether to hold another hearing on Loughner's forcible medication.

 

Loughner has been at the Springfield, Mo., facility the past four months after Burns found him mentally unfit for trial.