by Brandon Hartman
FORT HOOD - Nidal M. Hasan has been ordered to shave his beard after being found in contempt of court at his pre-trial hearing Wednesday morning.
The trial began at 10:00 a.m. with Hasan in attendance. He showed up to court once again with a full beard which a military judge had ordered him to shave.
Hasan was forced to watch the proceedings from closed-circuit television in a trailer outside the courtroom at his last hearing after he showed up with the beard which isn't in compliance with military standards.
This is the third time Hasan has shown up to court with a beard.
The judge issued the maximum fine of $1,000 to Hasan after he was found in contempt and told him that if he was not clean shaven by the time the trial started, he would personally shave his beard off.
The court then went into recess, giving Hasan an opportunity to shave, but he refused.
Wednesday's hearing also involved the discussion of pending motions and administrative matters.
Included, was the defenses request for additional discovery from a Senate committee and legislative documents, as well as a presentation given to top Army officials on the Fort Hood shooting.
Judge Gross decided to reserve his decision on the discovery matters for another pre-trial hearing.
Also during today's hearing the defense was granted extra funding from the government for two expert witnesses; a mitigation and panel expert.
In order to secure the area for the hearing, more than 100 cargo containers were stacked around the Lawrence J. Williams Judicial Center and the building's parking lot.
The fortress like structure went as high as 30 feet in some parts.
Judge Gross set another Article 39 hearing for next Thursday at 10 a.m..
Hasan is accused of killing 13 people on post back in November of 2009. His trial is expected to begin on August 20th.
He could face the death penalty if found guilty.
