Death penalty an issue for potential Fort Hood jurors

FORT HOOD, Texas -- Prosecutors asked Monday that three Army officers be dismissed as potential jurors in the murder trial of the Fort Hood shooting suspect because of their views on the death penalty.

Six potential jurors -- four colonels and two lieutenant colonels -- were brought in from Army posts nationwide and overseas as questioning continued in the court-martial of Maj. Nidal Hasan. The Army psychiatrist faces execution or life in prison without parole if convicted in the 2009 rampage that left 13 dead and nearly three dozen wounded on the Texas Army post.

Two of those officers indicated they oppose the death penalty, while a third said he strongly favors it. Prosecutors want all three tossed from the jury pool.

The judge, Col. Tara Osborn, said she would rule on the request Tuesday. Strongly opposing or supporting the death penalty doesn't disqualify someone from jury service, though potential jurors who indicate they would refuse to consider or automatically impose execution will be dismissed.

One colonel brought out for individual questioning said he struggled with the death penalty issue over moral and religious grounds.

"I question whether fallible human beings can impose death on other human beings," he said, adding that he already believes Hasan is guilty.

Hasan is serving as his own attorney but has asked only a few questions of potential jurors, including asking another colonel Monday whether he would be disobeying God or his church by imposing the death penalty. The colonel, who earlier said he believed, "thou shalt not kill," told Hasan that was a difficult question.

A third colonel said he would not always vote to impose a death sentence for certain crimes, although he had indicated he would do so on his jury questionnaire. He also said he believed Hasan is guilty.

Hasan's jury will be comprised of 13 to 16 members with ranks equal to his or higher. Death-penalty cases in the military require at least 12 jurors, more than in other cases. And unlike other trials, their verdict must be unanimous in finding guilt or assessing a sentence.

Ten potential jurors remain from a group of 20 questioned last week, when jury selection began. Testimony is expected to start Aug. 6.

Earlier Monday, Osborn told the group that Hasan was wearing a camouflage uniform worn by troops in combat instead of a dress uniform -- usually worn by defendants in a court-martial -- because it better meets his health-related needs as a paraplegic. Osborn told potential jurors not to hold his type of uniform against him.

Hasan was paralyzed from the abdomen down after being shot by police the day of the rampage.

Osborn also told the group Hasan was wearing a beard for his religious beliefs and not to hold it against him. Although facial hair violates Army rules, Hasan started growing a beard last summer, saying it was required by his Muslim faith.