Atty: Hood suspect may use insanity defense

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John Galligan, attorney for Maj. Nidal Hasan, said the court must consider Hasan's mental status because the allegations contradict his lifestyle and military career. Hasan is accused of killing 13 people during an attack at Fort Hood on Nov. 5.


Atty: Hood suspect may use insanity defense
By Angela K. Brown – The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Nov 23, 2009 21:26:07 EST

FORT WORTH, Texas — An Army psychiatrist accused of killing 13 people during an attack on his Texas post will likely plead not guilty to the charges against him and may use an insanity defense at his military trial, his attorney said today.

John Galligan, the civilian attorney for Maj. Nidal Hasan, said he is considering an insanity defense among other options, but that it’s too early to determine his defense strategy.

“Based on the evidence thus far, his mental status must be raised,” Galligan told The Associated Press by phone from his office near Fort Hood. “Anybody who allegedly engages in conduct that is completely contradictory to his lifestyle and military career — an insanity defense has to be considered.”

Hasan has been charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder in the Nov. 5 shooting at Fort Hood, and military officials have said they may file more charges. More than two dozen others were wounded in the shooting spree, which happened at a building where soldiers finalize their wills and are medically screened before they are deployed.

Galligan said military law requires his client to plead not guilty if prosecutors seek the death penalty, but he said that decision has not been made.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/11/ap_hasan_attorney_112309/