Ft. Hood Suspect Will Use ‘Defense of Others’

FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) —

The Army psychiatrist charged in the deadly 2009 Fort Hood shooting rampage says he’ll use a “defense of others” argument when he represents himself at his upcoming murder trial.

Maj. Nidal Hasan didn’t elaborate when announcing his strategy Monday, shortly after a military judge agreed to allow him to represent himself.

But it was the first time Hasan hinted at his reasoning behind the attack that killed 13 people and wounded more than two dozen others on the Texas Army post.

Hasan also asked for a three-month delay to prepare. The judge said she’d decide Tuesday, a day before jury selection was scheduled to begin.

Hasan faces the death penalty or life without parole if convicted.

To prove a “defense of others” argument, a defendant must show a threat was imminent.

Government documents show that Hasan, in emails sent to a radical Muslim cleric and when speaking to some co-workers, expressed support for Osama bin Laden and said the U.S. was at war with Islam.

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