Hasan trial gets new judge

FORT HOOD, Texas, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Maj. Nidal Hasan, accused shooter in the 2009 massacre at Fort Hood, Texas, appeared before a new judge in a pre-court martial hearing.

While concerns were raised by the defense that Col. Tara Osborn could revisit every ruling her predecessor made in the case of the man charged with killing 13 people and wounding 32, the Houston Chronicle reported, the primary issue in the hearing Tuesday was Hasan's beard.

She confirmed keeping his beard was a voluntary choice, and Hasan is aware some on the adjudicating panel might have an adverse opinion of him because of it, KCEN-TV, Waco, said.

The defense said it wants a proposal to instruct the panel on the matter of the beard, and mentioned seven old motions it wants to re-litigate and 13 others to reconsider with no additional evidence or briefs.

One of the motions the defense wants to re-litigate is a proposal to move the court martial from Fort Hood, KCEN-TV said.

Osborne asked both sides to propose a briefing schedule and set another hearing for January. No trial date has been set.