Lawyer: Close hearing for Army killings

SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- The lawyer for an Army major charged with killing 13 people at Fort Hood, Texas, last year says he wants the public and media barred from an upcoming hearing.

Attorney John Galligan said opening the hearing to the public would jeopardize Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan's right to a fair trial, the San Antonio Express-News reported Thursday.

Galligan filed a motion to close the military Article 32 hearing, which weighs evidence in a case.

"I already believe he will never get a fair trial at Fort Hood, but this will be one other measure to minimize any prejudice that would ensue if any trial would be conducted at Fort Hood," he said.

Army prosecutors want the proceeding, which starts Oct. 12 and is expected to run for several weeks, to be open, the Express-News said.

A military Article 32 hearing often is similar to a grand jury proceeding. An examiner will weigh evidence and then tell military commanders if they should call a trial.

Unlike grand juries, Article 32s typically are open to the public and media.

Judge James Pohl, the examiner, will review the Galligan's request at a hearing Thursday.

Hasan is charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder. He could face the death penalty if convicted.