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Crime

New Judge: Fort Hood Shooter Can Keep His Beard During Military Trial

Dec. 19, 2012 9:56am Erica Ritz

Judge: Fort Hood Shooter Nidal Malik Hasan Can Keep His Beard

In this courtroom sketch, U.S. Army Maj. Nidal Hasan, center foreground with back showing, is seen sitting between members of is defense team during a hearing in Fort Hood, Texas, Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012. (Photo: AP)

(TheBlaze/AP) — The Army psychiatrist charged in the deadly Fort Hood shooting rampage apparently will be allowed to keep his beard during his military trial, after a new judge indicated Tuesday that she won’t force him to shave.

The previous judge’s order requiring Maj. Nidal Hasan to be clean-shaven or be forcibly shaved before his trial had tied up the case for more than three months, but an appeals court ousted that judge earlier this month.

The new judge overseeing Hasan’s case told him during a hearing Tuesday that the beard, now thicker than when he first appeared in court with it in June, violates Army regulations. The judge, Col. Tara Osborn, said she won’t hold it against him– but that military jurors might.

Hasan answered “yes, ma’am” when Osborn asked if he grew the beard voluntarily. In a previous court hearing, he said he grew the beard because his Muslim faith requires it and not as a show of disrespect. Osborn asked defense attorneys to draft jury instructions about the issue.

Jurors likely will be told not to consider Hasan’s appearance when deciding on a verdict.

This April 9, 2010, file photo released by the Bell County Sheriff’s Department shows U.S. Major Nidal Hasan at the Bell County Jail in Belton, Texas. (Photo: AP)

Hasan, 42, an American-born Muslim, faces the death penalty or life in military prison without parole if convicted in the 2009 rampage that killed 13 and wounded more than two dozen others on the Texas Army post.

Osborn was appointed to the case two weeks ago, after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces removed the former judge and tossed his order regarding Hasan’s beard. The ruling said Col. Gregory Gross did not appear impartial while presiding over Hasan’s case and that the command — not a judge — is responsible for enforcing military grooming standards.

This undated file photo provided by the Bell County Sheriff’s Department via The Temple Daily Telegram shows Nidal Hasan, the Army psychiatrist charged in the deadly 2009 Fort Hood shooting rampage. (Photo: AP)

Hasan’s trial date still hasn’t been set. Osborn first has to rule on several pending motions. Defense attorneys also want Osborn to reverse Gross’ rulings on nearly two dozen earlier motions, including requests for change-of-venue, a couple of experts and some investigative reports.

Defense attorneys also said they will again ask that Hasan be allowed to plead guilty. At an August hearing, Gross said he was not able to accept a guilty plea on the 13 charges of premeditated murder, because Army rules prohibit a judge from accepting a guilty plea in a death penalty case.

Hasan also is charged with 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder.

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Comments (100)

neverending
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:39am
Well, well, well – oh now how sweet is that for little barry boy to take up such an important issue and make sure hussie doesn’t have to shave – gotta make barry happy and so now he can head out to his lavish vacation. What is up with this judge? Oh just another leftie would be my guess.

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IndyGuy
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:37am
Hey Erica Ritz…If you can’t handle the posts to your articles…You are in the wrong business…

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AnotherNutJob
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:36am
If there’s anything to gain from this ruling BS as it may be. It’s that the military jury of his peers won’t see him as a brother in arms when he won’t shave his beard. All it says to them is I infiltrated you and was dishonest in where my loyalties truly rested and now I refuse to conform to the standards that we all agreed to. That’s not gonna work to his advantage.

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- PATTY HENRY
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:46am
  How did this monster manage to ‘reconcile his non-beard’ when he was in active duty? I mean…he was Muslim THEN too, right?
  I think this is a perfect example of how “the people’s money” is wasted, in defending people who are caught dead-to-rights in terrorist crimes. I hope that this is a ‘short trial’ and that SOB gets fried.
  He’s has way more chance at “JUSTICE” than our Military who were NOT allowed to be armed…that, first of all, is crock. I hope I live long enough to see the PC mentality die and the progressive philosophy exposed for the evil it is.
  
  Report this comment
- HOOT_OWL
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 11:03am
  Patty
  Talk about “PC Mentality”… I’m seeing liberals now calling him a “political terrorist”.
  
  Dear God – Grant me the ability to come through my computer and choke some sense into some people.
  
  Report this comment
AllLost
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:27am
At the very least if the man does not have to follow the uniform stop paying him.

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- GardenoftheGods
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 2:02pm
  That’s the part that hurts the worst…this bastard IS getting FULL pay ($6000/mo); while the ones he wounded or killed…they & their families are suffering under Obama’s calling this “Workplace Violence” with smaller pay, less benefits and NO purple hearts for the dead. This is a TRAVESTY & enrages me as a citizen; I can’ t imagine how angry the people involved (who aren’t dead) must feel…God Bless them; and may God send Hassan to hell quickly!
  
  Report this comment
trueamerican40
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:24am
Hang ‘em high. Beard or no beard.

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- hatchetjob
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 1:34pm
  Yes!! And do it now already!!
  
  Report this comment
Zipit
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:24am
And then fry his arse!

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SaturdaysWarrior76
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:23am
Soon he’ll get a stomach ache, faint, hit his head and get a concussion… and sadly, won’t be able to stand trial…

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- barber2
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:34am
  Good one ! Just when you think nothing can get worse…. along comes Hillary . Can you believe what this administration gets away with ? Media control gives them a free pass . Have you ever felt as unsafe as now , with these meatheads in the White House ?
  
  Report this comment
- ellietoo
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:52am
  If you think this country is the same America it was 30 years ago you are so blind. The war is over without firing a shot. The left owns the media as well as the unions that own our educational system, our police and fire departments. Now Obama has put his leftest goons into every segment of the government, including the military. Forget it. They will take away the guns and then start numbering every American and monitoring every move we make.
  
  Report this comment
- barber2
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 11:14am
  ELLE: Totally agree with you. The Chicago radicals followed Saul Alinsky’s advice , followed his “Rules ” which, unfortunately, has worked very well up to the present…
  
  Report this comment
- thegreatcarnac
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 11:37am
  Saturday………that was funny.
  
  Report this comment
Cavallo
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:21am
His eyes look like Adam Lanza’s. Make no mistake, he’d have gone after kids if they were there.

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- HOOT_OWL
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 11:13am
  Cavallo
  I saw a anti-gun add the other day that had grouped together all these
  infamous shooters including last weeks maniac and the fort hood shooter.
  
  And my first thought was -Yep gun control in our military and on our bases,
  That makes sense these days.
  
  Report this comment
skiz
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:20am
We, as a country, have turned into spineless, pitiful, weak, wimps! I guess the military rules and regulations just apply to some. Just hold this pathetic excuse for a human being down and shave his damn beard. It is not a big deal! With the total pu$$ie$ we are raising (everyone gets a trophy, cross gender crap, there is no right answer, everything is a gray area, etc.), in the very near future, we will be overrun with cultures that are not wimps and steadfast in RIGHT and WRONG! OUR CHILDREN WILL SUFFER! Great job MORONS!

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Cavallo
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:20am
Because the Administration loves him. He murdered people that Bobo the wonder Marxist hates. He is the poster boy for Bobo’s brand new world. Besides, it was merely a case of workplace violence, according to the State.

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doomytram
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:17am
The Fort Hood Terrorist! Obozo’s second terrorist on US soil needs to die. Obozo and Holder have aided and abetted this Muslim Terrorist for too long. Only Obozo has been campaigning for President 7 years) longer than this Abdullah has been free earning military pay in plush military country club 4years.

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DZ-015
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:15am
I first thought this turn of events was a cave on the part of the military, catering to Muslim sensitivities, and the feminization of our culture. On second thought, it was a brilliant move. Let this guy keep his beard, while he will be judged by a woman. Muslims gotta love that!

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- SCREW-WINDOWS
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:20am
  He can fry or be shot with or without a beard stop wasting taxpayers dollars.
  
  Report this comment
- kryptonite
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 11:33am
  DZ,
  Islamists don’t care who the judge is as long as he or she is pro-Islam, which this new judge clearly is. The sons of Satan know women are empowered in the West, and they appoint women to high positions of influence in Western countries to advance Islamization. Islam abides by the proverbial “all is fair in love and war”
  
  Report this comment
copatriots
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:15am
Because we live in a sick, depraved culture where justice is not swift for murderers…..only for innocent babies in the womb.

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- biohazard23
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:26am
  D@mn right. Sorry about my French there, CoPats, but you’re right.
  
  Report this comment
- CanadaRocks
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:27am
  Give it a rest loser.
  
  Report this comment
- barber2
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:36am
  Canada Goose: ” loser ?” nice language from the typical angry Troll.
  
  Report this comment
- starman70
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:41am
  @ CANADAROCKS:
  
  If it had been YOUR unarmed son or daughter innocently standing in a line for processing and mowed down like wheat before the combine, while the prep shouts ALLU AKBAR, you would feel differently. You give it a rest ONLY when justice is served to the fullest extent on a cold blooded murderer such as this clown.
  
  Report this comment
- AnotherNutJob
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:43am
  Seriously canada speaking the truth makes Copats a loser. Look in to it moron an abortion can take 1 day from appt to end of procedure. But this trial is going on 2 years all he stated was fact.
  
  Report this comment
- copatriots
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:49am
  Thanks all. My post implied “justice” was occurring in both instances. Clearly, that isn’t the case….in either case. The babies are innocent and don’t deserve their horrific murder while a murderer/terrorist in being coddled. We are truly a sick culture with lunatics like CANADAROCKS justifying it.
  
  Mornin’ BIO, your French is very appropriate. ; )
  
  Report this comment
- Cincinnasty
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 1:02pm
  Canada?? HAHAHAHA….Can you say IRRELAVANT!!
  
  Report this comment
kat747
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:13am
The Judge is absolutely right in letting this killer keep his beard according to his muslim religion.
The killer’s action to keep his beard proves beyond reasonable doubt that he IS a muslim.
Therefore, the murders were a terrorist act.
The killer sealed his own fate.

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- skiz
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:22am
  To hell with his religion! He didnt care when he was in the military. He is just playing us.
  
  Report this comment
AJAYW
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:13am
With this liberal judge, holder and obamas mindset don’t be suprised if he is not found to be the victim of hate crime that lead him to do this. Its has made a joke of our military justice system.

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upadastra
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:11am
Just shave him before execution….

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65Mustang
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:10am
The judge is a “spineless whimp,” an Obama peon who has told the Muslim that what he demands is more important that obeying the rules of the military, shave the muslim bast**d. He will get off and be a hero to his fellow comrades.

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fourteen_k
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:10am
I’d shave that SOB with a weedeater!!!! He needs to be held to military standards, not his religion!!!

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NDCORUP
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:09am
“The previous judge’s order requiring Maj. Nidal Hasan to be clean-shaven or be forcibly shaved before his trial had tied up the case for more than three months, but an appeals court ousted that judge earlier this month.”

I’d say that’s a good indication the way this Farce of a trial will go.

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starman70
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:09am
WHAT A WASTE. In the old days, this clown would have been tried, found guilty and either hung or shot as a traitor (One who gives aid or comfort to the enemy) within a couple of weeks. OH, I forgot, this dude isn’t a traitor, he just suffers from workplace stress and perpetrated an act of workplace violence. BOY, only Odummer and his band of merry men could ever come up with that “Stupid and disgusting video” OOOPs I meant explanation for Hassan’s actions.

Maybe he thinks his beard will cause witnesses to not be able to recognize him as the

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RaydocX
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:08am
did we get this judge from the new Egypt?
from Al Jazeera’s legal department?

if Hassan insists on a beard that is NOT ALLOWED BY MILITARY STANDARDS,
he should not have been allowed to keep it.
BUT, if he is allowed to keep it, it goes to his ignoring military rules and regs, and SHOULD be considered in the panel’s deliberation.

It is terrifying that the original judge could be ousted for a PC ladder climber.
At this rate, we will watch as he is found not guilty, provided his back pay, and allowed to ‘emigrate’ to Egypt or Iraq where he will be greeted as a hero for perpetuating workplace violence.

WAIT… that’s why Obama is so intent on making everyone dependent and continuing the high unemployment… he has realized it is the JOB that kills people, so he is ‘quietly working on’ ways to limit the occurrences.

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leasecommander
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:07am
Time to put this guy away, it has been way too long already.

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- 50211bs
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:23am
  Sad thing is this will be dragged out for years to come.
  
  Report this comment
stopprintn
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:06am
Get the rope………..Quik

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CZGUY
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:06am
This is frigging Ridiculous…. He is still in the Military, and must conform with Military grooming standards.

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- starman70
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:22am
  That would apply to everybody except one of Obama’s protected class. Soon, anybody in the military who claims to be a Moslem will be able to wear a beard and then dress in “Traditional garb” while on duty.
  
  Can you imagine towels around their heads rather than military uniform hats? Can you imagine dressing in blankets rather than uniforms? Why soon the US military will resemble the Taliban.
  
  Report this comment
Female
Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:06am
Beard or no beard, whatever….let him plead guilty, let him get his death sentence, put him out of our misery quickly w/o opportunity for appeals, and SHAVE him right before cremation!

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- kat747
  Posted on December 19, 2012 at 10:09am
  Don’t forget to feed him his last mean of PORK.
  
  Report this comment

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