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Hasan Won't Plead Guilty, May Plead Insanity

by snuffysmith | November 22, 2009 at 03:49 pm

199 views | 26 Recommendations | 10 comments

Defense Attorney: Hasan Won't Plead Guilty, May Use Insanity Defense -- ABC News

John Galligan, defense attorney for the Fort Hood Ramapage shooter, Hasan, stated that his client will probably plead not guilty and that an insanity defense is possible.

"I anticipate that the plea will be not guilty," said defense attorney John Galligan.

Asked if he was considering an insanity plea for his client, who faces 13 counts of premeditated murder, Galligan said, "I'm fairly confident that that's going to have to at least be examined. And that's problematic. But we haven't reached that stage yet."

Hasan is paralyzed from the chest down and reportedly is in a tremendous amount of pain according to Ret. Col. John Galligan

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snuffysmith

at 15:50 on November 22nd, 2009

Suspect in Ft. Hood Shootings to Remain in Hospital -- New York Times
Fort Hood gunman paralysed by bullet wounds, lawyer says -- The Guardian
Fort Hood suspect ordered held until court-martial -- AP
Lawmakers Call Ft. Hood Shootings ‘Terrorism’ -- New York Times
Aftermath of the Fort Hood atrocity -- Financial Times

A. Tran

at 17:11 on November 22nd, 2009

I think there should be a limit to the catch-all insanity defense. He appeared to be of sound mind enough to plan and carry out his killings quite methodically.

caj1

at 17:36 on November 22nd, 2009

He went around his apartment complex saying he wouldn't be back and he had given away furniture and other belongings. I read that story from ABCNews.com earlier today and was puzzled for sure about how and why they would claim an insanity defense.

Hugh Askew

at 17:25 on November 22nd, 2009

well, who would a thunk it?

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 18:29 on November 22nd, 2009

Well that is not a surprise. It is a defence lawyers job to try to get his client off. Whether it would fly in view of the evidence of pre-planning is another story.