CBCnews

Fort Hood suspect may be paralyzed: lawyer

Last Updated: Friday, November 13, 2009 | 3:56 PM ET

Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan has been charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder in connection with a shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Texas, on Nov. 5 that left 13 people dead. Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan has been charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder in connection with a shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Texas, on Nov. 5 that left 13 people dead. (Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences/Associated Press)

The U.S. army psychiatrist accused of the mass shooting at Fort Hood may be paralyzed from the waist down, his lawyer says.

John Galligan told The Associated Press that Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan told him that he has no feeling in his legs, and doctors say the condition may be permanent.

Galligan said Hasan also told him he had extreme pain in his hands. He said his client's condition remains "extremely serious."

Hasan was shot by two civilian police officers who had responded to last week’s shootings.

Hasan, 39, is the only suspect in the Nov. 5 shooting rampage at the huge Texas army base that left 13 people dead and 29 wounded. He has been charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder under the American military's legal system.

He faces the death penalty if convicted.

Hospital spokesman Dewey Mitchell said he could not confirm whether Hasan was paralyzed because Hasan told hospital officials not to release any information about his condition or injuries.

With files from The Associated Press
  •  
 

World Headlines

UN human rights committee votes to censure Iran Video
A United Nations committee has approved a Canadian-led resolution urging Iran to stop harassing political opponents in the wake of its disputed presidential elections.
Hundreds rescued from U.K. flooding Video
Raging floods engulfed northern England's picturesque Lake District on Friday following the heaviest rainfall ever recorded in Britain. A police officer died and hundreds of people were forced to evacuate.
Suicide bomb kills 16 people in Afghanistan
A suicide bomber on motorcycle has killed 16 people and wounded 23 others in a crowded square in the city of Farah in western Afghanistan.
Peru gang accused of killing to sell human fat Video
Three members of a Peruvian gang have confessed to killing people and draining the fat from the corpses to sell on the black market for use in cosmetics, according to police officials.
5 dead in Saipan shooting
A gunman went on a rampage on the Pacific resort island of Saipan on Friday, killing four people and wounding six others before fatally shooting himself, officials said.

People who read this also read …

Top CBCNews.ca Headlines

Headlines

Ottawa will stay course on stimulus: Flaherty Video
Rather than turning off the stimulus taps or pouring more fuel on the economic fire, Ottawa will stand pat with the $61 billion in stimulus spending announced in January, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty says.
Flooding forces Vancouver Island evacuations Video
Flood waters on the Cowichan River and Koksilah River have forced the evacuation of about 300 to 400 homes in the Cowichan Valley and Duncan area of southeast Vancouver Island, officials have confirmed.
Colvin's job safe despite Afghan torture testimony Video
The Conservatives will not try to remove Richard Colvin from his post in Washington, Defence Minister Peter MacKay says, even though they question the credibility of his testimony on Afghan prisoners.
UN human rights committee votes to censure Iran Video
A United Nations committee has approved a Canadian-led resolution urging Iran to stop harassing political opponents in the wake of its disputed presidential elections.
Canada Post struggles to innovate
Canada's postal service is reinventing itself as it struggles to make up for dwindling demand in the face of a devastating global economic slowdown.