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Hassan to face the needle
The Army psychiatrist charged in the deadly Fort Hood rampage in Texas will be court-martialed and face the death penalty, Fox News confirms.
Fort Hood's commanding general announced the decision Wednesday for Maj. Nidal Hasan.
| Now the case can go forward. |
The 40-year-old is expected to appear in a Fort Hood courtroom for an arraignment and could enter a plea. Hasan is charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder in the November 2009 shooting spree at the Army post.
Hasan's lead attorney, John Galligan, had urged the commanding general not to seek the death penalty, saying such cases were more costly, time-consuming and restrictive.
| It will be worth every penny. Major Hassan should indeed face the maximum penalty if (when) found guilty. It sends a message not only here at home but also overseas. Imagine the outrage if we're willing to drone-zap number three's in Wazoo or Yemen but not willing to execute just as heinous a terrorist (and that's what Mr. Hassan is) here at home. Can you say, 'double-standard'? |
Two Army colonels previously recommended that Hasan be tried in a military court and face the death penalty.
Posted by: Steve White 2011-07-06 |
