Hasan Death Penalty Debate

"Common ground found on death penalty," from the Amarillo Globe News.

Usually, there is little common ground in the debate on capital punishment — you either support the death penalty or you do not. 

However, there is nothing “usual” about the court-martial of Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan. 

If ever a case existed that created even a small degree of agreement on capital punishment, Hasan’s case just might be it.

It is hard to believe it has been four years since Hasan went on his brutal massacre at Fort Hood, inexplicably murdering 13 of his fellow U.S. soldiers and wounding 30. 

Hasan has been representing himself at his court-martial and recently admitted the evidence will show he committed this act of terrorism. 

Speaking of insulting and absurd, here are a few of the details surrounding Hasan’s court-martial that will raise the blood pressure: 

-- It has been widely reported that taxpayers are already footing the tab for about $5 million for this case, and who knows what the final bill might be? 

-- As of this writing, Hasan’s fate — or justice — had not been determined. Even if Hasan is sentenced to the ultimate form of punishment — the death penalty — it could be a decade or more before his sentence is carried out, even though there is little if any doubt of his guilt. (According to CNN, the U.S. military has not executed a service member since 1961.) 

-- While it cannot be avoided, it is most disturbing to have Hasan’s victims (those he was not able to shoot to death) testify at his court-martial. One soldier was shot six times by Hasan, including once in the chest, and still has bullets in his body. He recently testified — bravely — with Hasan in attendance, looking in the face of the man who left him for dead. 

This is not to say Hasan, as murderous as he is, is not entitled to justice. He is.

Earlier coverage of the Fort Hood military trial begins at the link.  Related posts are in the military category index.