Hasan hearing to look at religious law

In continuing back-and-forth efforts in the military trial of Maj. Nidal M. Hasan, a hearing set for this week will examine his resistance to shaving his beard in a religious context.

 

Hasan is accused in the November 2009 large-scale shooting that killed 13 people. He is charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder in the attack at the Army post.

 

Col. Gregory Gross, trial judge, has set the next pretrial hearing in the case for 10 a.m. Thursday at the Lawrence J. Williams Judicial Center here.

Pending matters before the court include a hearing to determine whether a federal religious freedom law allows Hasan to wear a beard during his court martial trial.

Hasan recently grew a beard, which violates Army regulations. His attorneys say he won't shave because he's expressing his Muslim faith. However, Hasan abided by Army rules and did not have a beard before the shooting when he was an active member of the military.

Should Gross order that Hasan be forcibly shaved, the defense will have an opportunity to appeal that decision to the Army Court of Criminal Appeals before Hasan will enter his pleas.

Jury selection was due to being on Aug. 20, but the beard issue has interfered with moving ahead in that regard. Hasan first showed up in court sporting the facial hair in June.

Should Gross allow Hasan to keep his beard, Hasan will enter his pleas and the trial would begin shortly thereafter.