Alleged Fort Hood Shooter Still On Army Payroll

Major Nidal Hasan, the alleged Fort Hood shooter, has reportedly collected nearly $300,000 of military pay while he waits to stand trial for murder.

Hasan, an Army psychiatrist, is charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder in the November 5, 2009 massacre in which 13 people were killed and 32 others were wounded. He faces the death penalty if convicted at court martial.

Military regulations require that the suspect continue to receive his Army salary. “The Army said under the Military Code of Justice, Hasan’s salary cannot be suspended unless he is proven guilty. If Hasan had been a civilian defense department employee … the Army could have suspended his pay after just seven days.”

The accused Fort Hood shooter is finally scheduled to go on trial starting July 1.

The Obama administration has inexplicably classified this attack as workplace violence rather than terrorism. As a result of this workplace violence designation, victims of the attack have been denied the same access to health care and financial benefits that would attend to a combat-related classification along with eligibility for Purple Heart medals. Lawsuits against the Defense Department for this reason are pending.

Hasan allegedly had contacts with Al Qaeda before the attack and is reported to have shouted “Allahu Akbar”” (Arabic for “God is Great”) before opening fire at the Texas military base according to witnesses.

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have urged the Pentagon to reclassify this attack appropriately and are also considering legislation that would block any salary continuation for soldiers arrested for crimes against other GIs. The Army may be able to obtain some reimbursement from Hasan for medical care he received after being shot by a policeman during the incident.

Sgt. Mark Todd is credited for firing the five bullets that brought Hasan down in the rampage.

Do the think the alleged Fort Hood shooter should continue to receive a military salary, or should his pay have been cut off?