Judge orders additional information from Major Hasan's standby counsel

FORT HOOD, Texas -- During the June 11 pretrial hearing in the case of U.S. vs. Maj. Nidal M. Hasan, the only issue before the court was Hasan’s request for assistance from standby counsel.

 

Hasan’s standby counsel believed they complied with Hasan’s request.

 

Hasan, on the other hand, felt that his counsel provided very limited support because of a disagreement over his strategy. 

 

Col. Tara Osborn, presiding judge, provided an order to standby counsel explaining they had a duty to provide legal support requested by Hasan.

 

Hasan’s counsel objected to this order on ethical grounds. 

 

As a result, Osborn ordered Hasan’s standby counsel to submit a written, sealed brief to the court listing the factual and legal basis for their belief they could not comply with the Court’s order regarding their duties to assist Hasan. 

 

The brief is to be completed and filed by noon June 12. 

 

Osborn has currently not scheduled another Article 39a hearing into this matter.

 

The accused, Hasan, is innocent until or unless he is proven guilty.