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Fort Hood suspect allowed 'martyr' report released

Posted at 11:32 AM, Aug 14, 2013
and last updated 2013-08-14 12:35:38-04

By NOMAAN MERCHANT and MICHAEL GRACZYK
Associated Press

FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) - The soldier on trial for the 2009 shooting rampage at Fort Hood says he authorized the release of a report that shows he told mental health experts he "would still be a martyr" if executed by the government.

Maj. Nidal Hasan told the judge Wednesday that he wasn't forced to disclose the report and knew that releasing it could make it available to prosecutors.

Hasan's civilian lawyer released the documents to the New York Times, which published contents of the report Tuesday.

Attorneys ordered to help Hasan say they're concerned about the report's release. Prosecutors say they haven't seen the report.

Hasan is representing himself during his trial at the Texas military base. He's charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

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