Fort Hood Shooter Likely Paralyzed

The Fort Hood shooter, Majory Nidal Malik Hasan, is still listed in critical condition at a Texas hospital and he does not have feeling in his legs at this time. Doctors have told Hasan's attorney, John Galligan, that Hasan is very possibly going to be paralyzed below the waist for the remainder of his life. Hasan also told Galligan directly that he is experiencing severe pain in his hands.

Hasan has been charged with the 13 murders he committed, but one of the soldiers he killed was pregnant, so additional charges may be forthcoming. His attorney expressed some frustration with the fact that Hasan was formally charged without him being present, but ultimately one has to question any concern with what is ultimately a formality.

Is there any chance Hasan is innocent of his crimes? Even assuming that the defense will argue that Hasan was insane at the time of the attack, does the manner in which he was charged really have any relevance to the true nature of the case?

Perhaps the most important legal proceeding surrounding the shooting will be the investigation into what the FBI and other military officials knew about Hasan - and when they knew it. Officials have already revealed that they were looking at Hasan last year after it became clear that he was following a radical cleric on the Internet.