Wearing his Army uniform and sitting solemnly in a wheelchair, the psychiatrist accused of gunning down 13 people at Fort Hood in November made his first court appearance today, and his attorneys won a delay in his case. Maj. Nidal Hasan did not speak much at the hearing, mostly answering questions about the proceedings with a soft "yes sir." The next hearing, at which a judge will determine whether the case goes to trial, is now scheduled for Oct. 4.
Hasan, who was paralyzed after being shot the day of the shootings, was flanked by military police as he rolled his wheelchair into the courtroom and up to the defense table. He answered "yes, sir" or "I understand, sir" when asked if he understood his rights, if he had read the charges against him, and if he knew his right to a speedy trial. He is charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder in the Nov. 5 shooting. (More Nidal Malik Hasan stories.)