Ft. Hood Shooting Trial On-Hold Over Beard

Wednesday was supposed to be the day that the accused Fort Hood gunman would enter a plea.  Not only did that not happen, but now the entire trial is on-hold so an Army appeals court can hear an objection about the suspect’s beard.

FOX News Radio’s Eben Brown reports:

Army Maj. Nidal Hasan was expected to plead not guilty to the murders at Fort Hood in 2009, since he’s not allowed to plead guilty since it’s a death penalty case.  But before today’s (Wednesday’s) hearing was concluded, the Army’s Court of Appeals issued a stay, as Hasan is objecting the trial court’s order he be forcibly shaved.

Hasan’s been wearing a beard, claiming it’s religious, but beards are against Army regs.  The judge has been finding him in contempt and ordered the forced shave if Hasan doesn’t comply.

The trial was to begin next week.

Eben Brown, FOX News Radio.