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Fort Hood attacker to appear for hearing

Suspect faces the death penalty if convicted in the 2009 rampage at Fort Hood that killed 13

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This undated file photo provided by the Bell County Sheriff’s Department shows Nidal Hasan, who is charged charged in the 2009 Fort Hood shooting rampage.

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Associated Press

FORT HOOD, Texas — The U.S. Army psychiatrist charged in a deadly shooting rampage at a military post in Texas is appearing in military court for his first pretrial hearing in more than three months.

Maj. Nidal Hasan faces a new judge Tuesday.

Hasan faces the death penalty if convicted in the 2009 rampage at Fort Hood that killed 13 and wounded more than two dozen.

Hasan’s case had been on hold since September, when he appealed the former judge’s order to shave his beard or be forcibly shaved before his court-martial. But two weeks ago, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces ousted the judge and tossed his order.

The ruling said the command, not a judge, is responsible for enforcing grooming standards.

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