Judge delays Hasan trial until August

FORT hOOD, Texas (KXAN) - Military Judge Gregory A. Gross on Wednesday set an Aug. 20 trial date for Major Nidal M. Hasan, who is charged in the 2009 shooting rampage on Fort Hood that left 13 dead.

The ruling represents a partial victory for Hasan's defense team, which sought to push the court date back from mid-June until Oct. 9. 

Prosecutors opposed any further delay in the trial date.

At a hearing on Fort Hood last week, Hasan's lawyer argued that the delay is necessary because of the large volume of documents and other evidence already delivered to the defense and the anticipated continued disclosure of additional documents and evidence by the prosecution.

Prosecutors countered that the defense has had ample time to review the evidence and requested that the defense counsel file any further motions as soon as possible.

On Aug. 20, the parties will begin to seat the jury, which is called a panel in the military. Gross will also likely hold other pretrial hearings between now and Aug. 20 and those will be announced as scheduled.

Hasan is charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder. He faces the death penalty or life without parole if convicted in the November 2009 shootings.