Hasan paralyzed from chest down.

Belton, TX - Mr. John P. Galligan, defense attorney for Nidal Malik Hasan, accused of murdering thirteen people and pending additional charges, stated during a telephonic interview with a Washington Post reporter Sunday that Hasan is paralyzed from the chest down. He told the reporter that Hasan had no feeling from the nipples down and that the condition was permanent. Mr. Galligan also stated that Hasan has been receiving letters and cards from various people and that the cards and letters are being copied by the government before being given to him.

The Army psychiatrist is currently charged with thirteen counts of premeditated murder by the military but Hasan’s attorney stated that he anticipated additional charges to come in the very near future. A closed door hearing took place in Hasan’s hospital room Saturday which resulted in Hasan’s being ordered into confinement until his court martial. With such an order in place, the military has more control over who has access to him, who communicates with him, and what communications he is allowed to see.

Mr. Galligan stated that Hasan was awake in the beginning of the hearing but began to nod-off near the end. He states that Hasan is able to engage in useful conversation for only short periods of time. The fact that a hearing has been conducted while the defendant was under the influence of heavy sedatives and pain killers is highly unusual and may open the case up to appeal later on in the process.