Judge: Fort Hood shooting suspect Hasan can keep representing himself at trial

photo This undated file photo provided by the Bell County Sheriff's Department shows Nidal Hasan, who is charged in the 2009 shooting rampage at Fort Hood that left 13 dead and more than 30 others wounded.

By NOMAAN MERCHANT

Associated Press

and PAUL J. WEBER

Associated Press

FORT HOOD, Texas - A military judge says the soldier on trial for the 2009 Fort Hood shooting rampage can continue to represent himself.

Defense lawyers who have been helping Maj. Nidal Hasan had asked the judge on Wednesday to let them take over the case. They said Hasan appeared to be trying to convince jurors to convict him and sentence him to death.

But the judge sided with Hasan today, saying it's clear the standby attorneys simply disagree with Hasan's defense strategy.

The judge also ordered the attorneys to continue in their role aiding Hasan.

Hasan has said little since the trial began Tuesday. He told jurors he was responsible for the attack that killed 13 people on the Texas military base. He's questioned only two of the dozen witnesses so far.

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