Will Major Hasan successfully use PTSD as a defense, or will it at least become a mitigating factor to be considered. If the trial is at Fort Hood, as seems likely at the moment, many of the Members (jury) panel will already have quite a bit of extra-judicial information. Here…
Court-Martial Trial Practice Blog
Major Hasan’s religion a reason not to impose a death penalty?
I’m not posting much at the moment on the Fort Hood tragedy. People can follow the news as easily as I can. However, this article by Will Heaven in the (U.K.) Daily Telegraph did raise an eyebrow. Fort Hood shooting: the death penalty would make Nidal Malik Hasan an Islamic…
Major Hasan’s future lawyers
Anyone who knows anything about death penalty cases knows that allegations of ineffective assistance of counsel (IAC) will figure significantly in an appeal. It’s given that no matter how hard they work they’ll be accused of incompetence. Today, the Supreme Court summarily reversed a Sixth Circuit case in which the…
Firefox plug-in alternative to Google reader
Frustrated with Google Reader, I began using and recommending Morning Coffee as a Firefox plug-in. I still think MC is a good tool if you are only interested in looking at certain websites once or twice a day, or once a week. However, for me that’s not flexible enough. Thanks…
Marine in pretrial confinement for murder
JDNews of Jacksonville, NC, reports: Private Jonathan Law, 21, was placed in custody of authorities at the Camp Lejeune Brig Sunday, for the alleged homicide of Cpl. Joshua E. Hartzell, 22, according to a release from 2d Marine Logistics Group. Law was moved Saturday night from Pitt County Memorial Hospital,…
Time for national service
Huffington Post reports: Where Will They Get the Troops? Preparing Undeployables for the Afghan Front As the Obama administration debates whether to send tens of thousands of extra troops to Afghanistan, an already overstretched military is increasingly struggling to meet its deployment numbers. Surprisingly, one place it seems to be…
Motions practice
Here are four very good tips from Evan Schaeffer of The Trial Practice Tips Weblog: “When the Judge Agrees With You, Stop Talking.” “Look at the Judge, Not Your Opposing Counsel” “Arguing a Motion Before a Trial Court: Begin at the Beginning” “Motion Hearings: Listening to the Judge”
President prejudices the prosecution of Major Hasan?
Kens5.com reports: While Major Nidal Hasan recovers in a hospital, the depth and complexity of the legal case which could soon surround him is expansive and could take years to conclude, according to well-known defense attorney, Jack Zimmermann. In addition to pretrial statements, it is to be considered that the…
The charge sheet ICO United States v. Hamilton
Here is a copy of the preferred charges in subject case, courtesy of CGBlog. Posts about this case UP: Coastie O-5 in serious trouble
Guns galore for Major Nidal Hasan
NY Daily News and FoxNews.com report: A 5.7-millimeter pistol used in the Fort Hood shooting was purchased legally by suspect Nidal Hasan at a Texas gun shop, law enforcement officials said Friday. Army Col. John Rossi, deputy commander at Fort Hood, confirmed at a news conference late Friday in Texas…