Jared Loughner, who is charged in connection with the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., and the killing of six others, was ruled incompetent to stand trial by a federal judge at a competency hearing today in Phoenix.

Update at 4:29 p.m. ET: U.S. District Judge Larry Burns based his decision on a 52-page evaluation by psychologist Christina Pietz and a 43-page evaluation by psychiatrist Matthew Carroll at the federal hospital in Springfield, Mo., where Loughner will now be treated, CNN notes. Both concluded he could not assist his defense because of mental illness.

"The defendant was not able to comprehend the charges," Burns ruled, agreeing with Carroll's evaluation that Loughner is "clearly illogical and confused."

He said that Loughner had been acting strangely for two years and was not faking mental illness, adding that the suspect did not like being labeled mentally ill.

"He scoffs at the idea," Burns said.

Update at 4:13 p.m. ET: The so-called hospital restoration process lasts between four and eight months and is intended to make a suspect competent to stand trial, a former federal prosecutor told KNXV-TV.

But it is possible doctors could find that Loughner is unfit and could never improve mentally.

"Let's say that's the ultimate finding ... then unfortunately, the case gets dismissed," said Kurt Altman. "You cannot proceed under the Constitution to a trial when the defendant is not competent to stand trial."

Update at 3:46 p.m. ET: Loughner will be sent to a hospital in Springfield, Mo., for treatment. He will not be released from custody during treatment, which could last indefinitely, The Arizona Republic reports.

"We believe he can be restored to competency with proper medication," said Robbie Sherwood, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Loughner has pleaded not guilty to 49 crimes that killed six and wounded 13.

Just before noon PT Loughner started rubbing his forehead, lowered his head and rocked back and forth, the Republic writes, citing people in the courtroom. He looked at the judge and blurted out, "Thanks for the freak show. I saw her die in front of me."

U.S. marshals then escorted Loughner from the courtroom.

By Douglas Stanglin

USA TODAY

Update at 3:25 p.m. ET: Experts at the hearing testified that they found him mentally incompetent, the Associated Press reports.

Update at 3:12 p.m. ET: Fox News Channel quotes people in the courtroom as saying Loughner yelled, "She died in front of me."

According to a producer in the courtroom, Fox reports, Loughner appeared disheveled as he entered the courtroom wearing a prison jumpsuit and sporting longer hair and a beard.

Before the outburst, he was rocking in his chair and placed his head on the table in front of him, Fox News reports.

Earlier posting: Jared Loughner, the suspect in the Tucson shooting spree, was removed from the courtroom by deputy marshals today after an outburst, the Associated Press reports.

He was in court for a hearing to determine whether he is competent to stand trial.

Loughner, 22, has pleaded not guilty to 49 federal charges stemming from the Jan. 8 shooting at a meet-and-greet event that wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., and 12 others and killed six people, including a 9-year-old girl and a federal judge.

U.S. District Judge Larry Burns had Loughner taken from the courtroom after he lowered his head and mumbled something loudly, his head inches from the table in front of him.

Loughner's words were inaudible to many in the courtroom, the AP says.

Burns says he might allow Loughner back in "if he composes himself."