Beard Row Halts Trial of Major Accused of Murder
The trial of a US army psychiatrist accused of killing 13 people in a shooting spree at an army base has been suspended while a court decides whether his beard should be removed.
Major Nidal Hasan’s lawyers say the beard is an expression of his Muslim faith, but army regulations state that soldiers must be clean shaven.
It is also argued that the beard makes it hard for witnesses to identify him.
Maj Hasan is accused of opening fire at Ford Hood army base in Texas in 2009.
The shooting was the worst of its type at a US military base, and if convicted, Maj Hasan, 41, could face the death penalty.
The trial has already been delayed several times - Maj Hasan first appeared for a hearing at the central Texas military complex with the beard in June.