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Fort Hood suspect to be isolated in Texas jail

BELTON, Texas — The Army psychiatrist charged in a deadly shooting spree at Fort Hood will be kept isolated from other inmates at the Texas jail where he's been transferred.

Maj. Nidal Hasan was airlifted from a San Antonio military hospital to the Bell County Jail in Belton at about 4 a.m. Friday.

(enlarge photo) In this photo released by the Bell County Sheriffs Department, U.S. Major Nidal Hasan is shown after being moved from Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio to Bell County Jail in Belton, Texas on Friday April 9, 2010. Hasan had been at the military hospital since shortly after a Nov. 5 shooting spree at Fort Hood which left him paralyzed. He is charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder. (AP Photo/Bell County Sheriffs Department)

Sheriff Dan Smith says Hasan will be kept in a cell in the jail infirmary and will be under 24-hour watch. Smith did not say whether Hasan is under guard because of fears for his safety or others.

Hasan had been at the military hospital since shortly after the Nov. 5 shooting spree that left him paralyzed. He is charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

BELTON, Texas (AP) — The Army psychiatrist charged in the deadly Fort Hood shooting was transferred early Friday from a San Antonio military hospital to a jail near the Army post, his attorney said.

Maj. Nidal Hasan's attorney, John Galligan, told The Associated Press that a Fort Hood official confirmed that Hasan was airlifted to the jail at about 4 a.m.

Hasan was listed as a Bell County Jail inmate as of Friday morning, according to the jail's online records.

Fort Hood officials said Hasan had been transferred overnight and referred questions to Bell County Sheriff Dan Smith, who was to discuss details at a Friday afternoon news conference.

Galligan said he was concerned that authorities did not notify him of the transfer in advance as promised. One of Hasan's relatives visited him Thursday night at San Antonio's Brooke Army Medical Center but was told Friday that Hasan was not there, Galligan said.

Hasan had been at the military hospital since shortly after the Nov. 5 shooting spree, which left him paralyzed. He is charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder.

He faces an Article 32 hearing, similar to a grand jury proceeding, as early as July 1. After that, a military judge will determine whether there is enough evidence to go to trial. Prosecutors have not said whether they would seek the death penalty.

Last month, Bell County commissioners finalized a contract with the military to house Hasan. Although the jail usually houses military defendants from nearby Fort Hood, which does not have holding facilities, a special agreement was required for Hasan because "unusual and extraordinary security measures" were necessary, the sheriff has said.

Smith previously said he would provide details about transferring and housing Hasan only after he was at the jail.

Galligan has said the 183-day jail contract to house Hasan began March 31, the day Hasan was given a medical discharge to leave the military hospital.

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