TUCSON, Ariz. – A federal judge on Wednesday scheduled a May 25 hearing to determine if the suspect in the Tucson shooting rampage that critically injured U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is competent to stand trial.

Jared Lee Loughner, who smiled as he was led into the courtroom, appeared before U.S. District Judge Larry Burns in khaki prison clothes, his once-shaved head now featuring short, dark hair and side burns.

He pleaded not guilty to federal charges, including trying to assassinate Giffords, attempting to kill two of her aides and murdering federal judge John Roll and Giffords staffer Gabe Zimmerman.

He also is charged with causing the deaths of four others who weren’t federal employees, causing injury and death to participants at a “federally provided activity” and using a gun in a crime of violence.

Loughner likely will also face state charges stemming from the Jan. 8 attack at a Giffords event outside a Tucson grocery store.

Prosecutors had asked Burns to commit Loughner to a federal facility to be evaluated by psychologists to determine whether he suffers from a mental defect that makes him incompetent to stand trial.

The judge scheduled a competency hearing, saying he has concerns about whether Loughner understands the proceedings.

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