Accused Fort Hood Shooter Paid $278,000 While Awaiting Trial

[alp227]

The Department of Defense confirms to NBC 5 Investigates that accused Fort Hood shooter Major Nidal Hasan has now been paid more than $278,000 since the Nov. 5, 2009 shooting that left 13 dead and 32 injured. The Army said under the Military Code of Justice, Hasan’s salary cannot be suspended unless he is proven guilty.

If Hasan had been a civilian defense department employee, NBC 5 Investigates has learned, the Army could have suspended his pay after just seven days.

Personnel rules for most civilian government workers allow for "indefinite suspensions" in cases "when the agency has reasonable cause to believe that the employee has committed a crime for which a sentence of imprisonment may be imposed."

Meanwhile, more than three years later soldiers wounded in the mass shooting are fighting to receive the same pay and medical benefits given to those wounded in combat.

full: http://www.nbcdfw.com/investigations/Accused-Fort-Hood-Shooter-Paid-278000-While-Awaiting-Trial-208230691.html

[jberryhill]

1. It would be really simple if legal rules had a footnote....

...that said "except in those instances where we don't need a trial."

[freshwest]

4. Pesky Constitution and the rule of law stick its head up again... I hope they recoup all that money.

What wonderful things I could do with that. Different world, huh. Could help some people get out of their mortgages, get their teeth fixed, give some to a group house. But then my needs have always been rather simple. Thus, I was never in his station in life. He must be a whiz.

[cali]

7. this has jackshit to do with the constitution

or the rule of law and it's ridiculous that he's being paid these funds.

[MattBaggins]

11. No it's not

As soon as he is found guilty bust him down to private, but until then he gets paid.

[msongs]

2. $278 K in just 3.5 yrs? sounds like being in the military is a financial jackpot nt

[Archae]

3. For an officer.

I have a close relative who retired a Lt Col, she made a lot.

Had to undergo a helluva lot though!
(Including a stretch in Saudi Arabia.)

[Pelican]

5. I never thought about it before...

I wonder how his BAH (housing allowance) is affected.

[NaturalHigh]

8. Depends on whether or not he has dependents.

If he has dependents, I imagine he's still getting BAH.

[YeahSureRight]

6. He was a Dr too and Doctors get money just for being a Dr

I did find the pay chart for Dr's on active duty
http://www.dfas.mil/militarymembers/payentitlements/militarypaytables.html

I have seen it before and just for kicks one time I figured out an O-5 Surgeons pay, only because I had a run in with one who was not very good. So in my research I discovered that this useless Dr in the Military was making $250,000 a year, most of it bonus's for being a Dr and staying in, and he did not do jack and was incompetent to boot. Military Dr's don't have to carry malpractice either.

If one wants to be a Dr and can't afford Med School, the military is a great option to get rid of the school bills quickly.

[NaturalHigh]

9. Isn't Nidal Hasan an O-4 (Major)?

[Spider Jerusalem]

12. O-4 with 25 years of service (enlisted in 1988), he gets $7283 a month

plus special pay as a medical officer on top of it. But it looks like he's only getting the basic rate.

[NaturalHigh]

10. I don't like the guy, but...

that's the law. I don't think we should throw it out based on one case. Trust me, if he is found guilty, he will lose all pay and allowances (after his appeals run out), and he will be in for some miserable life experiences in Leavenworth.