Hasan attorney to discuss death penalty

FORT HOOD, Texas (KXAN) - On Friday defense attorneys for accused Fort Hood shooter Maj. Nidal Hasan will meet with the new Fort Hood commander to discuss Hasan’s trial.

Hasan’s attorney John Galligan will argue against the death penalty for his client.

Lt. General Donald Campbell will decide whether the military will pursue a court-martial on the 13 murder charges and 32 counts of attempted murder.

Hasan would be eligible for the death penalty if the military chooses to court-martial him.

Galligan said in a death penalty case there has to be a jury trial and the defendant cannot plead guilty. These cases can be tedious and time consuming.

The last death penalty case at Fort Hood was 23 years ago when Dwight Loving killed two taxi drivers in Killeen. Loving is still on death row.

Hasan is accused of killing 13 people and injuring 32 others in the Nov. 5, 2009 mass shooting at Fort Hood.