Central Texas Attorney Will Represent Suspected Fort Hood Gunman

KWTX ^ | 11/9/09

[LA Woman3]

FORT HOOD (November 9, 2009)—John P. Galligan, a retired military attorney who now practices criminal defense law said he was contacted Monday by the brother of the man accused opening fire Thursday at Fort Hood, killing 13 and injuring 29.

Galligan, a retired Army Col., who practices in Belton and specializes in courts-martial, said Hasan’s family asked him to represent the Army psychiatrist, who was awake and able to talk Monday.

Galligan said he was hoping to meet with Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan later Monday at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.

He told News 10 he informed military and government investigators that he is representing Hasan and that the Hasan not be questioned outside of his presence.

He said his main concern now is that Hasan gets adequate medical care.

Authorities won't say when charges would be filed or if Hasan would face military justice.

Galligan questions whether Hasan could get a fair trial anywhere, given the widespread attention to the case.

Galligan has represented soldiers in other high-profile cases.

In 2005, he defended two soldiers at Fort Bliss charged in the beating death of Afghan detainees.

In 2007, he represented a Fort Hood master sergeant accused of failing to take precautions during a training exercise in which a soldier died.

In 2006, Galligan challenged incumbent Bell County Judge Jon Burrows in the Republican primary, but lost 5,941-3,223.

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[dragnet2]

Ugh. I’d rather clean a port-a-potty with my tongue than represent that SOB.

Nobody put a gun to this attorneys head to force him to represent this guy....Obviously, this attorney is a bottom feeder, looking for notoriety and a few bucks.

Defense attorneys defend the accused, guilty or not. This is a Constitutional right. Please refrain from showing your ignorance in the future.

I didn't suggest or imply what an attorneys tasks may or may not be...I only said this attorney had a choice as to represent or not represent this guy, which is accurate.

Please read my posts slowly in the future, to avoid appearing an ignorant fool.

[ops33]

Yes, but at the expense of the defendant. Guaranteed by the UCMJ.

[Artemis Webb]

"Please read my posts slowly in the future, to avoid appearing an ignorant fool."

Unlike yourself and most first graders I do not need to read out loud syllable by syllable to comprehend what I'm reading. I stand by my assessment of you.

[elcid1970]

Re #34 has his right to an opinion without your characterizing it as ignorant.

Re #34 did not question the accused’ right to counsel as you seem to imply.

I agree with Re #34 that this COL Galligan is a bottom feeder. Read his CV if you get around to it.

I hope Nidal Hasan fries to a crisp for what he “alledgedly” did. Just my opinion.

;^)

[dragnet2]

lol...Unlike your post, mine was 100 percent accurate, yours was not.

Please do read more carefully in the future.

[LA Woman3]

Will Galligan use the contagious PTSD defense??

New law allows for veterans' courts

Posted: Jul 29, 2009 4:46 PM CDT
Updated: July 30, 2009 07:20 AM CDT

by Sara Talbert

BELTON - A new law allows counties to set up veterans' courts, which would be designated for soldiers and veterans who have gotten into trouble with the law and who have also returned from a deployment suffering from psychiatric problems.

But even with the largest military installation in the world in their backyard, Bell County officials say it's not necessary.

But, Bell County defense attorney John Galligan disagrees.

"In the last two months, I've completed two aggravated assault with deadly weapon cases from soldiers at Fort Hood, both of whom returned from a deployed environment with PTSD and traumatic brain injury and on a whole range of drugs. They were on so many drugs it made them look like a walking Walgreens," said Galligan.

Both of those soldiers faced second degree felonies and jail time. Galligan says with a veterans' court, a judge could take in to consideration the mental diagnosis of the soldiers.

Bell County Commissioner Tim Brown says however, the law doesn't really apply to Bell County.

"Frankly, I think it's a silly bill. The only way we'd create a court of this sort would be if we were being overwhelmed by an inordinate number of these cases," said Brown, who added that is simply not the case. He says the judicial system already in place in Bell County works to meets soldier's needs.

"The judges have that discretion, that's why I say it's not something new," said Brown.

"They speak like there's not need for it? It's money," argued Galligan.

But that is something Brown doesn't deny. Up to a $1,000 fine could be handed down to the defendant; that money then used to help cover the costs of the court.

"Sounds good. But the truth of the matter is so many of these folks who are moving through the criminal justice system are economically challenged to begin with," said Brown.

News Channel 25 did try to get specific numbers from the Bell County District Attorney's office Wednesday concerning the number of cases involving soldiers with PTSD. The numbers were not readily available.

LINK

[Artemis Webb]

You are welcome to your opinion about my opinion.
I disagree with your opinion except for the the part about Hasan “frying to a crisp”. You'll get no argument there.

[dragnet2]

Re #34 has his right to an opinion without your characterizing it as ignorant. Re #34 did not question the accused’ right to counsel as you seem to imply. I agree with Re #34 that this COL Galligan is a bottom feeder.

Why thank you...

Hopefully, Mr. Webb does not practice law....lol

[McLynnan]

Interesting discussion over here http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2382579/posts?page=41

We’re debating whether Hasan would be more likely to receive the death penalty in a Texas court than a military court.

[Artemis Webb]

"Hopefully, Mr. Webb does not practice law....lol"

I don't.
But tell me where did you learn what you know about practicing law? Apparently you watched way too much Perry Mason and assume that defense attorneys should ONLY take cases in which they believe their client is innocent (otherwise they are "bottom feeders").

ROFLMAO!

[LA Woman3]

Thanks for the link! Without reading the replies yet.....my vote is Texas!

[freekitty]

Is that legal? I thought a military person would have a current military lawyer.

[LA Woman3]

This story was posted before the announcement that he would be charged in a military court.

[elcid1970]

Galligan retired from the military in 2001 with an attitude since it appears that he defends ONLY those whose accused crimes are prejudicial to good order and discipline under UCMJ.

BTW, I’m not a JAG but I am a JAG legal administrator and I review lots of records of trial from those who come up hot for drugs (love it when they get f**d over) to those accused of premeditated murder.

JMHO, his mission seems to be to throw sand in the gears of the ability of our wartime military’s ability to accomplish its mission.

Just my opinion.

;^)

[COBOL2Java]

He said his main concern now is that Hasan gets adequate medical care.

I guess he isn't for Pelosi-care.

[The Comedian]

He said his main concern now is that Hasan gets adequate medical care.

Well that's nice.

Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

[dragnet2]

Apparently you assume that defense attorneys should ONLY take cases in which they believe their client is innocent

You have a clear pattern of making inaccurate assumptions, and wild inaccurate implications.

Please read my #34, slowly, and try to comprehend what is stated.

I did not suggest or even imply that attorneys should only take cases which they believe their clients are innocent.

Nor did I question the accused right to counsel.

Stop the baseless speculation and read #34.

[stylin19a]

of course you’re right. I AM a member of the liberal wing of the VRWC. I believe a person should get a fair trial before we hang ‘em.

[infowarrior]

Can private sector lawyers represent defendents in a military court?

Yes, a defendant can have a civilian attorney representing him in a court-martial, although he will also have a defense counsel from the Judge Advocate General of Fort Hood...

the infowarrior