Judge: Maj. Hasan Will Be Forcibly Shaved If He Doesn't Get Rid of Regs-Defying Beard Himself

The Ft. Hood shooter has grown himself a protest beard and claims he can't get rid of it because Allah told him to. The beard violates military regulations on appearance and decorum and so, for the past few months, Maj. Hasan has been barred from entering the courtroom for his pre-trial hearings. He's been viewing them remotely by video.

The judge, recognizing that this situation could give rise to appeals, today held Hasan in contempt and ordered him to either shave his beard or submit to being forcibly shaved before his court-martial begins.

But since Hasan grew a beard, he and one of his attorneys have watched the pretrial hearings on closed-circuit television in a trailer near the courthouse. He refuses to shave, and Gross has indicated that Hasan might have to watch the court-martial from the trailer as well.

But on Wednesday, Gross said he wanted Hasan in the courtroom to prevent a possible appeal on the issue if Hasan is convicted, Waco television station KWTX reported.

It was not immediately clear what Hasan and his attorneys would do. The hearing was in recess after Gross found Hasan in contempt.

The court-martial is scheduled for August 20.

posted by Gabriel Malor at 12:15 PM

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