Ft. Hood Shooter Can Still Represent Self, Rules Judge

Lawyers Argued Maj. Nidal Hasan Is Trying to Get Himself Executed

ByABC News
August 8, 2013, 10:45 AM

Aug. 8, 2013— -- Major Nidal Hasan, the U.S. Army psychiatrist on trial for killing 13 people during a shooting rampage at Fort Hood, will be permitted to continue to represent himself at his court martial, a judge ruled today.

Defense lawyers who have been helping Hasan but not representing him asked the judge Wednesday for permission to take over his case, claiming the confessed shooter was not putting up a reasonable defense and was essentially working with prosecutors to hasten his conviction and execution.

Judge Col. Tara Osborn ruled that the defendant and his legal team were merely disagreeing on strategy, and Hasan, who was ruled fit to stand trial, could continue to be his own lawyer.

"Standby counsel may not agree with the way the accused is proceeding," Osborn said, according to ABC News affiliate WFAA-TV. "But Major Hasan determines his strategy, not standby counsel."

Hasan has never denied entering the Soldier Readiness Processing Center in 2009, where he shouted "Allahu akbar," Arabic for "God is great," and opened fire on unarmed soldiers and civilians.

In his opening statement on Tuesday Hasan confessed to being a mass murder, saying "the evidence will clearly show that I am the shooter."

Hasan chose not to cross examine witnesses and has raised no objections, proof, his legal team said, he is unfit to represent himself.

"It is clear his goal is to remove impediments or obstacles to the death penalty and is working toward a death penalty," Lt. Col. Kris Poppe, a military lawyer assigned to help Hasan make his case, argued Wednesday.

Hasan faces 13 counts of murder and more than 30 counts of attempted murder. If convicted he faces the death penalty.