The US Army psychiatrist charged with 13 counts of murder in the Fort Hood military base shootings may be permanently paralysed from the waist down due to the gunshots used to subdue him, his lawyer said today.
John Galligan, a retired Army colonel appointed to represent Major Nidal Malik Hasan during an upcoming military trial, also said Maj Hasan (39) could face more charges.
The US Army has charged Maj Hasan with premeditated murder in the deaths of 13 people on November 5th at the huge military base in Texas. He could face the death penalty if convicted.
Police officers shot Maj Hasan four times during the incident to bring him down, and the wounds appear to have left him permanently paralyzed from the waist down, Mr Galligan said.
Maj Hasan regained consciousness this week but remains in intensive care at a military hospital in Texas.
"It appears that there is a paralysis that might be permanent," Mr Galligan said.
Mr Galligan also said he has grave doubts that Maj Hasan could receive an impartial trial if it is held at Fort Hood.
The shooting prompted President Barack Obama to order a review of how US intelligence agencies handled information they may have gathered about Maj Hasan amid questions about whether authorities may have missed warning signs.
Reuters