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Fort Hood accused Nidal Hasan 'must shave off beard' | Fort Hood accused Nidal Hasan 'must shave off beard' |
(about 11 hours later) | |
A man accused of killing 13 people at a Texas army base in 2009 has been told to shave his beard before his murder trial, or have it forcibly removed. | |
Major Nidal Hasan argued he had grown it in compliance with his Muslim faith. | Major Nidal Hasan argued he had grown it in compliance with his Muslim faith. |
But a military judge said the 41-year-old had failed to prove sincere religious reasons for wearing the beard, which is against army rules. | But a military judge said the 41-year-old had failed to prove sincere religious reasons for wearing the beard, which is against army rules. |
The army psychiatrist is accused of opening fire on soldiers preparing for deployment at Fort Hood, Texas. | The army psychiatrist is accused of opening fire on soldiers preparing for deployment at Fort Hood, Texas. |
Thirty-two people were injured in the attack. Maj Hasan faces 13 counts of pre-meditated murder and 32 counts of attempted pre-meditated murder. | Thirty-two people were injured in the attack. Maj Hasan faces 13 counts of pre-meditated murder and 32 counts of attempted pre-meditated murder. |
The rampage was the worst of its type at a US military base and Maj Hasan could face the death penalty if convicted. | The rampage was the worst of its type at a US military base and Maj Hasan could face the death penalty if convicted. |
Forced shaving | Forced shaving |
The judge, Col Gregory Gross, delivered the ruling after a hearing on whether a federal law on religious freedom applied to Maj Hasan's case. | The judge, Col Gregory Gross, delivered the ruling after a hearing on whether a federal law on religious freedom applied to Maj Hasan's case. |
Prosecutors had also argued the beard made it harder for witnesses to identify the accused. | Prosecutors had also argued the beard made it harder for witnesses to identify the accused. |
But Maj Hasan's lawyers disputed the claims, saying that earlier in the year their client had wanted to plead guilty and "accept responsibility". | But Maj Hasan's lawyers disputed the claims, saying that earlier in the year their client had wanted to plead guilty and "accept responsibility". |
He even tried to change US Army rules that prevented Maj Hasan from pleading guilty to murder in a death penalty case, the lawyers added. | He even tried to change US Army rules that prevented Maj Hasan from pleading guilty to murder in a death penalty case, the lawyers added. |
Earlier, the suspect had been found in contempt of court at six pre-trial hearings on account of his facial hair. He had been sent to a trailer to watch the proceedings on a closed-circuit television. | Earlier, the suspect had been found in contempt of court at six pre-trial hearings on account of his facial hair. He had been sent to a trailer to watch the proceedings on a closed-circuit television. |
But on Thursday Maj Hasan was present in the courtroom. Col Gross explained the accused had been permitted in court to prevent a future appeal on the decision, if convicted. | But on Thursday Maj Hasan was present in the courtroom. Col Gross explained the accused had been permitted in court to prevent a future appeal on the decision, if convicted. |
According to military protocol on forced shaving, a team of five military police officers must restrain the inmate "with the reasonable force necessary". | According to military protocol on forced shaving, a team of five military police officers must restrain the inmate "with the reasonable force necessary". |
It must be done with electric clippers and must be filmed. In addition, a medical official must be on hand in case of injuries. | It must be done with electric clippers and must be filmed. In addition, a medical official must be on hand in case of injuries. |
Maj Hasan was paralysed from the chest down after being shot by police during the incident at Fort Hood. | Maj Hasan was paralysed from the chest down after being shot by police during the incident at Fort Hood. |
He is being held at a special hospital cell about 15 miles (25km) from the Texas base. | He is being held at a special hospital cell about 15 miles (25km) from the Texas base. |