Judge Rules Fort Hood Shooter Maj. Nidal Hasan Can Represent Himself

FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) — A military judge is allowing the Army psychiatrist charged in the 2009 Fort Hood shooting rampage to represent himself at his upcoming murder trial.

The judge also ruled Monday that Maj. Nidal Hasan's attorneys will remain on the case, but only if he asks for their help.

The judge, Col. Tara Osborn, said last week that a report indicates Hasan is mentally competent to represent himself.

A doctor testified Monday that Hasan's paralysis won't have a significant impact during proceedings. He's paralyzed from the waist down after being shot by police the day of the attack on the Texas Army post.

Jury selection is set to start Wednesday.

Hasan faces the death penalty or life in prison without parole if convicted in the attack that killed 13.