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Hasan's lawyers to appeal their ordered duties

Posted at 10:41 AM, Aug 09, 2013
and last updated 2013-08-09 11:43:13-04

FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) - Attorneys who are advising the soldier accused in the 2009 Fort Hood shooting rampage have been allowed to leave trial for the day so they can challenge the judge's refusal to scale back their duties.

Maj. Nidal Hasan is representing himself as he faces numerous charges for the attack on the Texas military base.

The military lawyers ordered to help Hasan believe he is trying to win himself a death sentence. They say supporting such a "repugnant" defense strategy violates their rules of professional conduct.

The attorneys had asked the judge to scale back their duties or let them take over the case.

The judge, Col. Tara Osborn, refused their request Thursday. But she's allowing 2 of the three attorneys to spend Friday preparing an appeal to her ruling.

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