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Fort Hood massacre suspect's beard must go, says judge Fort Hood massacre suspect's beard must go, says judge
(about 5 hours later)
A US military judge has ordered the Fort Hood massacre suspect, army major Nidal Hasan, to shave or be forcibly shaved, ruling that his beard is not covered by federal laws protecting religious freedom.A US military judge has ordered the Fort Hood massacre suspect, army major Nidal Hasan, to shave or be forcibly shaved, ruling that his beard is not covered by federal laws protecting religious freedom.
Colonel Gregory Gross ruled following a hearing that Hasan's attorneys failed to prove he has grown the beard, which he has worn since June, for religious reasons. Hasan, 41, has said he grew the beard in line with the beliefs of his Islamic faith and that it is part of his free exercise of religion. Colonel Gregory Gross ruled following a hearing that Hasan's attorneys had failed to prove he had grown the beard, which he has worn since June, for religious reasons. Hasan, 41, has said he grew the beard in line with the beliefs of his Islamic faith and that it is part of his free exercise of religion.
Hasan, an army psychiatrist, faces 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder in the shootings at the army base in Texas in 2009.Hasan, an army psychiatrist, faces 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder in the shootings at the army base in Texas in 2009.
"Bottom line is the judge ordered him to be forcibly shaved," Fort Hood spokesman Tyler Broadway said. "Bottom line is the judge ordered him to be forcibly shaved," the Fort Hood spokesman Tyler Broadway said.
The court of appeals for the armed forces ruled in August that if Gross ordered Hasan to shave the ruling could be appealed against.The court of appeals for the armed forces ruled in August that if Gross ordered Hasan to shave the ruling could be appealed against.
"[The shaving] won't happen until the army criminal court of appeals, or the court of appeals for the armed forces, makes a decision," Broadway said."[The shaving] won't happen until the army criminal court of appeals, or the court of appeals for the armed forces, makes a decision," Broadway said.
Hasan is accused of opening fire on 5 November 2009 at a deployment centre at Fort Hood, one of the largest US army bases, killing 13 people.Hasan is accused of opening fire on 5 November 2009 at a deployment centre at Fort Hood, one of the largest US army bases, killing 13 people.
Gross ruled Hasan must be in the courtroom during his court martial but without a beard.Gross ruled Hasan must be in the courtroom during his court martial but without a beard.
Gross said army grooming regulations, which prohibit beards, overrode religion. Gross has repeatedly declared Hasan to be in contempt of court when he has appeared in court for pre-trial hearings with the beard, declaring it to be disruptive, and ordering him out of the courtroom.Gross said army grooming regulations, which prohibit beards, overrode religion. Gross has repeatedly declared Hasan to be in contempt of court when he has appeared in court for pre-trial hearings with the beard, declaring it to be disruptive, and ordering him out of the courtroom.
If Hasan is forcibly shaven it would not be a simple process, Broadway said. Army regulations are specific on how forced shaves can be carried out. If Hasan is forcibly shaved it would not be a simple process, Broadway said. Army regulations are specific on how forced shaves can be carried out.
"Electric clippers will be used exclusively and the policy does allow for a senior correctional supervisor to administer the shave," Broadway said, quoting army policy."Electric clippers will be used exclusively and the policy does allow for a senior correctional supervisor to administer the shave," Broadway said, quoting army policy.
Five military police officers would restrain the prisoner, the procedure would be videotaped and a person with medical training would be on hand to attend to any injuries, army procedure dictates.Five military police officers would restrain the prisoner, the procedure would be videotaped and a person with medical training would be on hand to attend to any injuries, army procedure dictates.
Army correctional facilities have carried out forced shavings six times since 2005, Broadway said.Army correctional facilities have carried out forced shavings six times since 2005, Broadway said.
Hasan was preparing for military deployment to Afghanistan when he allegedly opened fire at Fort Hood. During the shooting he was paralysed from the chest down by bullet wounds inflicted by civilian police officers.Hasan was preparing for military deployment to Afghanistan when he allegedly opened fire at Fort Hood. During the shooting he was paralysed from the chest down by bullet wounds inflicted by civilian police officers.