A federal judge Monday ordered Jared Lee Loughner, the accused shooter in the Tucson attacks that killed six and injured Rep. Gabby Giffords and 12 others, to remain in treatment for an additional four months.

U.S. District Judge Larry Burns said Loughner had made progress, but as to being able to stand trial, Loughner "is not there yet," the Los Angeles Times reported.

Jared Lee Loughner (Wikimedia Commons)

From Reuters:

"Burns called Loughner's ability to take part in group therapy a 'signal of measurable progress' for a man who several months ago was incapable of engaging in any meaningful dialogue with anyone."

Shortly after the January 2011 shootings, Loughner was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and has been forcibly medicated since.

His attorneys have fought efforts to medicate him, although they did not object to Monday's ruling to extend the treatment.

Loughner faces 49 criminal counts, including first-degree murder.