By Kate McGee, KUT News
FORT HOOD, TEXAS – Jury selection is underway in the court martial of Major Nidal Hasan, the army psychiatrist accused of killing 13 people and injuring more than 30 on the Fort Hood Army post in 2009.
More than 140 panelists have been summoned from around the country for the trial. The first twenty will be questioned today. First, they’ll answer questions as a group and then individually.
Both sides submitted questions that were pre-approved by the judge. Only those questions can be asked. The panel must consist of 12 members of the military who outrank the accused, and they must unanimously decide if Hasan is guilty or not guilty. Hasan could face the death penalty or life in prison.
In a pretrial hearing today, Hasan confirmed he’ll defend himself in court. He had consulted an outside lawyer to represent him if he could argue he opened fire in defense of Islam. But the judge reaffirmed he can’t use that argument. Hasan also said he is being forced to wear his military uniform, saying it represents an enemy to Islam.
Jury selection is expected to take a few weeks. Right now, the earliest the trial can begin is August 6th.
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