New charges filed in Fort Hood killings

FORT HOOD, Texas, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- The Army psychiatrist accused of killing 13 people at Fort Hood, Texas, was charged with 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder Wednesday, officials said.

Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, already facing 13 murder counts stemming from the Nov. 5 massacre, now is accused of shooting and wounding 30 soldiers and two civilians in addition to the 13 people who died, ABC News reported.

Officials said additional charges could be filed.

Hasan, hospitalized in a San Antonio hospital intensive care unit and paralyzed from the chest down, is to be tried in a military court.

Hasan attorney John Galligan said the new charges caught him by surprise.

"I had no preliminary notice that the charges would be served," Galligan told ABC News.

ABC News also reported the Army wants a formal inquiry into Hasan's sanity. Galligan said he was considering an insanity defense for his client, adding he received notice via e-mail Tuesday night the Army would ask to convene a "sanity board" to evaluate Hasan's mental state.

Galligan said the e-mail said, "Given the magnitude and seriousness of the crimes alleged in the specifications, such alleged conduct makes me believe the accused lacks mental responsibility and capacity."