Hasan Guilty 14 Murders + 32 Attempted

Nidal Hasan was found guilty on all counts by his military court martial. He is convicted of 13 counts of premeditated murder in the first degree, plus one aggravated by the unborn child murdered along with the victim. He was also convicted of 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder.

His sentencing phase will begin next week. The US Army will seek the death penalty, just as they achieved with Hasan Akbar, the traitor who murdered CPT Chris Seifert and others in early 2003. Akbar's sentence was confirmed, again, in 2012 and he will likely face execution.

Both men claimed some form of conscientious objection to the wars against the terrorists that attacked the US multiple times. Both men were Muslims that sided with the terrorist extremist organization, Al-Q'aeda.

Neither men deserve to ever be referred to by a US military rank. Both are dishonorable men and disgraces to the uniform.

This news comes on the heels of the completion of another key court martial. Bradley "Chelsea" Manning was convicted of espionage and leaking classified information. He was not convicted of "aiding the enemy" though some of the information he compromised did end up in the hands of enemies of the US.

Though some of the antics surrounding the court martial made it appear Hasan was attempting to turn the proceedings into a circus, the later days of the trial left him more muted. Hasan's legal assistance, granted due to his per se defense, wished to be released from that duty. Hasan had declared that he wished to lose the case and be given the death penalty. The fact Hasan rested without calling a single witness in his defense strongly indicates that to still be his wish. Had he plead guilty, he may not have received a death sentence.

Some believe Hasan will be more animated during sentencing in some attempt to avoid execution. Most likely, though, he will not. He seeks to be seen as a martyr for Al Q'aeda. That alone should be reason enough to imprison him for 13 lifetimes of hard labor instead of death. The death penalty is too good for him.

The Obama Administration and many of his supporters in the news media have refused to acknowledge Hasan's act as one of terrorism. The truth, as we know it, is that it was. It was an attack by an enemy infiltrator. However, there is benefit to denying Hasan's terrorist affiliation. It is an attempt to diminish Hasan's bid for martyrdom. Should he receive the death penalty, the denials of the terrorism will not diminish the label within the Al Q'aeda network. Worse, the heroes from that day will be denied the wartime medals they earned. The wounded survivors will be denied the war veteran benefits they earned and deserve. The families of the slain will be denied certain benefits that should be bestowed upon their widows and children.

So, deny him the death penalty and the mantel of martyr. If that is not the endgame, then openly admit this act for what it was -- an act of war. Grant the victims and their families that for which so much blood has already paid.

As the panel decides Hasan's sentence, we can hope that justice will prevail.