Fort Hood suspect appears at hearing

FORT HOOD, Texas, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- The suspect in the Nov. 5 shooting massacre at Ford Hood, Texas, appeared in court Tuesday for an evidence hearing while his lawyers discussed a delay.

The Austin (Texas) American-Statesman said Maj. Nidal Hasan, paralyzed from the waist down due to shots fired to take him down, appeared alert but pale. He was able to move his arms, and was wheeled into the courtroom by a Fort Hood police officer.

Hasan was dressed in his standard Army camouflage uniform, the report said.

The newspaper said the defendant is expected back in court Wednesday morning after Col. James Pohl granted a defense request for more time to file paperwork in an attempt to delay the Article 32 hearing until Nov. 8.

Pohl refused a defense request to close the hearing to the public. The San Antonio Express-News said Hasan's attorneys have complained that publicity surrounding the killings at a post deployment center made it difficult to find an impartial military jury.

Retired Army Col. John Galligan, Hasan's lead attorney, has sought continuances in previous appearances before Pohl.

In a brief press conference, the Express-News reported, retired Army Lt. Col. Tom Rheinlander said the defense was given until midnight to file a brief on the requested delay.

Hasan is charged with killing 13 people and wounding dozens of others.