(PRESS RELEASE)

FORT HOOD, Texas - Fort Hood officials want to stress that there has been no decision to pursue the death penalty in the case against Maj. Nidal Hasan.
Recent articles and headlines stating that the Army has made a decision to
pursue the death penalty against Hasan are inaccurate and misleading.

In accordance with the Rules for Courts-Martial, the decision to pursue the
death penalty can be made only after a case reaches the General
Court-Martial Authority and only if one of the enumerated capital
aggravating factors is present.

The charges against Hasan remain at the Special Court-Martial Convening
Authority level, pending an Article 32 Investigation. An Article 32
Investigation is the military version of a civilian Grand Jury. The Article
32 Investigating Officer will consider whether any capital aggravating
factors may be present in this case.

Hasan has been charged with 13 specifications of premeditated murder, in
violation of Article 118 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and 32
specifications of attempted premeditated murder, in violation of Article 80.
These charges are allegations and the accused is considered innocent until,
and unless, proven guilty."