Nidal Hasan's Beard Shaved Off by Force

THE GUARDIAN: Death row jailers dispense with concession that let army major keep facial hair during Fort Hood massacre court martial

The army psychiatrist sentenced to death for the Fort Hood shooting rampage has been forcibly shaved, an army spokesman has said.

Major Nidal Hasan began growing a beard after the November 2009 shooting that left 13 dead and 30 wounded. The beard prompted delays to his court martial because it violated army grooming regulations. He was convicted of all charges in August at his court-martial at the central Texas army post and sentenced to death.

Hasan, 42, who was born in America, is an inmate of the US detention barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, home to the military death row. Lieutenant Colonel S Justin Platt, an army spokesman, said in a statement on Tuesday that Hasan had been shaved. He did not specify when or provide details. » | Associated Press in Fort Leavenworth | Wednesday, September 04, 2013

'I Am the Shooter': US Army Major Nidal Hasan Declares as He Faces Court Martial over Fort Hood Massacre

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A US army major and self-styled "soldier of Allah" admitted gunning down 13 of his comrades in cold blood on Tuesday, calmly telling their families that "war is an ugly thing" as he finally stood trial over the Fort Hood massacre.

Nidal Hasan, a former Army psychiatrist, declared: "I am the shooter" after being accused of trying to "kill as many soldiers as he could" during a shooting rampage at the military base in Texas four years ago.

In an extraordinary scene, Hasan, who is acting as his own defence lawyer, told the hearing that he had "switched sides" and was now a "Mujahideen" waging a holy war against America.

The bearded defendant, who is in a wheelchair and paralysed from the waist down after being shot at the end of his rampage, addressed the small wood-paneled court room at Fort Hood Texas, in a soft, controlled, and accentless voice.

In a statement lasting barely a minute he said: "Panel members, Good morning. On the morning of Nov 5, 2009, 13 US soldiers were killed and many more injured. The evidence will clearly show that I am the shooter.

"The bodies found that day show that war is an ugly thing. Death, destruction and devastation are felt from both sides, from friend and foe.

"The evidence will show I was on the wrong side. The evidence will also show that I then switched sides. The evidence will show we Mujahideen are imperfect soldiers trying to establish a perfect religion in the land of the supreme God.

"I apologise for any mistakes in this endeavour." » | Nick Allen, Fort Hood, Texas | Tuesday, August 06, 2013