Fort Hood Shooting Trial Starts Next Week

The trial of Maj. Nidal Hasan – accused gunman in the 2009 shooting rampage at an Army base in Fort Hood, Texas – should begin next week as scheduled.

The Associated Press reports that military judge Col. Gregory Gross denied a request from Hasan’s attorneys today requesting a delay:

Hasan's attorneys had argued that they needed more time to look through 26 boxes of documents, including some of his medical records and jail logs.

Hasan’s trail has been delayed previously, and many of his pre-trial hearings have proved contentious – such as when Hasan was found in contempt of court for wearing a beard.

Hasan faces 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 charges of attempted premeditated murder in the Nov. 5, 2009 incident. Jury panel selection is set to begin at 8 a.m., Aug. 20, in the Lawrence J. Williams Judicial Center in Fort Hood.