Officer recommends Hasan face death-penalty trial in Fort Hood massacre | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Texas Regional News

Officer recommends Hasan face death-penalty trial in Fort Hood massacre | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Texas Regional News: "U.S. Army Maj. Nidal Hasan should face a capital-murder court-martial for last year's slaughter at Fort Hood, the officer presiding over his pretrial hearing has recommended.
Col. James L. Pohl found probable cause to justify 13 charges of premeditated murder and 32 charges of attempted premeditated murder against Hasan, officials at Fort Hood confirmed Wednesday.
Pohl also found reasonable grounds for a death-penalty trial. In military law, that requires a finding that a crime involves aggravating factors, such as the death of more than one person.
The recommendations will initially be considered by a Fort Hood brigade commander, who is also awaiting findings from a board of military mental health experts assigned to examine Hasan's mental state.
Ultimately, a general will make the final decision on how Hasan is tried and how he is punished if he is found guilty.
Pohl's report followed a nine-day preliminary proceeding known in military law as an Article 32 hearing."