Nidal Hasan’s Trial Halted Over Lack Of Defense

Major Nidal Hasan’s trial was halted by a Texas judge on Wednesday after it appeared the alleged Fort Hood shooter wasn’t putting up a defense.

Hasan is an Army psychiatrist charged with killing 13 people and wounding dozens more in a shooting rampage in 2009. The government has spent four years and almost $5 million dollars on the trial.

But the proceedings were halted temporarily on Wednesday when a backup lawyer for Hasan objected that the alleged shooter put up no defense against the allegations, reports ABC News.

Hasan has already attempted to plead guilty to the charges. He also admitted in his opening statement on Tuesday that he was the shooter. But the government kept him from pleading guilty, as it would have eliminated a trial and any option of the death penalty.

Instead, the government has tried to provide an airtight trial that will result in a guilty verdict and possible death sentence. However, the backup defense lawyer argued that Hasan’s mostly nonexistent defense so far could cause an appeals court to rule the alleged shooter did not have a fair trial.

CBS News notes that the judge allowed Hasan to speak about his objections to the lawyer’s claims, but did so in a private hearing behind closed doors. The alleged Fort Hood shooter objected, but the judge continued on with her ruling. The court recessed later on with no decision on the motion.

The lawyer, Lieutenant Colonel Kris Poppe, explained to the court in his objection, “It is clear his goal is to remove impediments or obstacles to the death penalty and is working toward a death penalty.” Poppe hopes to take over Hasan’s defense or have his responsibilities in the case minimized should Hasan choose to continue self-representation.

Even if a 13-member panel unanimously convicts the alleged shooter and sentences him to death, the case will likely go through years, if not decades, of appeal. So, even if the guilty verdict is given, it is possible Hasan will never actually be executed. No US service member has been executed since 1961.

It is unclear what the judge will decide in the trial against alleged Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan.