UPDATE: Prosecution rests the sentencing case in morning session

UPDATE: After a morning of emotional testimony from surviving widows and parents of some of those murdered on Nov. 5, 2009, in the case of U.S. vs. Maj. Nadal M. Hasan, the government rested its sentencing case against Hasan Aug. 27 here.  During the afternoon court session, Hasan declined to present any matters for consideration of his sentence, and declined to make a statement to the court.  Hasan simply stated "the defense rests.”

Hasan’s stand-by defense counsel submitted an ex-parte motion to present extenuation and mitigation on behalf of Hasan over his objection.  The Judge (Col) Tara Osborn denied the motion, stating a pro-se defendant in the military justice system "is the captain of his own ship." 

FORT HOOD, Texas -- After two days of emotional testimony by 20 witnesses, the government rested its case Aug. 27 on sentencing phase in the U.S. vs. Maj. Nidal M. Hasan. 

Seven witnesses testified for the prosecution, expressing the significant loss and suffering their families have endured in the wake of the shooting.  

One of the witnesses who testified on behalf of the government, Joleen Cahill, said her husband, retired Chief Warrant Officer Michael Cahill, had given his life in an effort to stop Hasan.  She spoke of the devastation experienced by her family in the time following the shooting.  After the loss of her husband, whom she described as the glue that kept her family together, she said she is now taking control back from the acts of Hasan and into her own hands once again.

Also testifying this morning were Lt. Col. (Retired) Randy Royer, Geraldine Krueger, Sheryll Pearson, Philip Warman, Teena Nemelka and Christine Gaffaney.  Each experienced personal loss, either directly or by way of the loss of their husband, wife, daughter or son.  Each took back a measure of control over this loss by their testimony, in facing Hasan and expressing the cost of his actions on the lives of their families after Nov. 5, 2009. A stipulation of expected testimony also was read for Mari Kay DeCrow, after which the prosecution rested.

The defense stated he would not present any documents during sentencing, nor will the two witnesses he previously requested be called to testify on his behalf. 

It is unknown whether Hasan will testify this afternoon on his own behalf when court resumes at 2 p.m.