Fort Hood Suspect's Attorney Says Fair Trial In Doubt

November 11, 2009 — 9:43 AM

A Texas defense attorney said Wednesday that he is concerned that President Obama's appearance at a memorial service for 13 people killed in a shooting spree at Fort Hood could make it difficult for his client to get a fair trial.

John P. Galligan, a retired military officer and attorney, said accused gunman Army Maj. Nidal Hasan has not yet been charged and that any military proceeding could be tainted.

"Any defense council mindful of the events [Tuesday], I think, would share in my concern that that be a factor, among others, that has to be reviewed," Galligan said during an interview outside the noisy entrance to nation's largest Army post.

Although Obama did not mention Hasan by name, the president made reference to the accused gunman's Islamic faith in a speech before the crowd of 15,000 at the Texas memorial service.

"It may be hard to comprehend the twisted logic that led to this tragedy, but this much we do know — no faith justifies these murderous and craven acts, no just and loving God looks upon them with favor," Obama said. "And for what he has done, we know that the killer will be met with justice in this world and the next."

Hasan, 39, is accused of opening fire Thursday at the crowded Army post, killing 13 people and wounding more than 40 others before being shot by two civilian police officers. Investigators are trying to establish a motive for the rampage.

Details have emerged that Hasan was a Muslim who was strongly opposed to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. His family has said the Army psychiatrist was trying to get out of being deployed to Afghanistan later this month.

Galligan said he has interviewed Hasan, who remains hospitalized in stable condition at Fort Sam Houston's Brooke Army Medical Center near San Antonio. The attorney declined to comment on the case, saying he hasn't received a formal notice of charges.

Meanwhile, Congress was preparing to hold hearings on the shootings as conflicting reports emerged about whether or not the accused gunman's contact with a radical Muslim cleric had been investigated.

Two government officials have said a joint terrorism task force overseen by the FBI was notified of communications between Hasan and a radical Yemeni imam identified as Anwar al-Awlaki. But a military official denied knowing about the contacts between the two, according to The Associated Press.

Awlaki's personal Web site contained encouragements for Muslims to kill U.S. troops in Iraq.

From NPR and wire reports

Source: NPR