Fort Hood Shooter Intent on Receiving Death Sentence, Attorneys Claim
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is</s>CNN BREAKING NEWS. BANFIELD (voice-over): So I want to get you some of this unusual information that's coming from a very large port in Tampa, Florida. It is in fact the Port of Tampa, and there's something wrong and no one knows yet exactly what it is. But there are dangerous, noxious fumes that are emanating from that port. And they are so bad -- look at the direction of the flag. People downwind of that flag are being told to stay indoors. And that's not just a few people, it is several thousand people, particularly if you live or know people who live in the area of Channel Side or Harbor Island, all of those people have been given a stay inside order to shelter. They're trying to contain this; they're trying to figure out what this leak is. They're trying to figure out what the fumes are. But they do say if you have any experience of irritation of the eyes or respiratory tract, that can lead to headaches and dizziness. You're probably going to have to get some medical attention at some point. But in the meantime, everyone in that particular area south of that port, they are being told to shelter in place, stay indoors, keep your windows and doors closed and put on your TV and radio so you can stay in tune with those developments. We'll watch that as well and as soon as we know more, we will let you know as well. But what a bizarre situation, not knowing what it is and where it's leaking from, those fumes. So another big breaking story, we've been bringing it to you from Texas every day. And in fact, on this show, every day this week, we've had a break in the Nidal Hasan case, that's of course the Army major who is accused of opening fire on his colleagues at Ft. Hood. Our Ed Lavandera is standing by with yet another break, more breaking news in the case. Yesterday everything shut down, Ed, because the backup lawyers to this man who wants to defend himself say they can't stand by any longer and watch him march himself to the death penalty. What has the judge said in this case?</s>ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it was another tense morning. The judge came out this morning first thing and denied those attorneys' request to modify how they would work with Major Nidal Hasan in his death penalty murder case here at Ft. Hood. The judge denied that motion. And then it didn't end there. Basically the judge ruled that it was -- this was simply a disagreement in strategy, that Major Hasan is fully capable of representing himself, that he has a constitutional right to defend himself how he so chooses. But then the lawyers didn't leave it there. They said that the -- it would be more -- the attorneys telling the judge, continued, kept hammering at the judge about this and said it would be, quote, "morally repugnant" to force them to allow Major Hasan to essentially, in their opinion, work with the prosecution to ensure that he get the death penalty. Despite all of that and those strong claims from these attorneys, from what we could hear, sounded very angry and upset by the judge's ruling. But all of that continues. The judge has said that they have to continue working alongside Major Hasan, standing by his side. They are not the lead counsels. They do not make the decisions. Everything is up to Major Hasan and basically they have to stand there and watch him choose this strategy, which they think is ensuring that he gets sentenced to death.</s>BANFIELD: Well, you know what, as they say, Ed, you do have a right to defend yourself, even if you're defending yourself very poorly. But I will tell you this, Ed, from the many cases I've seen, a lot of times those shadow lawyers, they have got to protect themselves, too, against some kind of case down the way, of ineffective assistance of counsel. So maybe that's at least on the record for them at this point as they move forward. Keep us posted today on any other movements in the trial, will you, Ed?</s>LAVANDERA: I will.</s>BANFIELD: Ed Lavandera there live for us at Ft. Hood. Thank you, you, too. He's on it every day for us and we'll keep you posted. Not even 11:30 in the morning Eastern time and the court case already done for the day in Joshua Young's trial. Why? He's that 17-year-old baby-faced boy accused of helping his father beat his 14-year-old stepbrother to death. But his defense case only called two witnesses in this entire thing. It was so bizarre. During the prosecution's case two witnesses and then just four additional witnesses this morning and then said we're done. All of it less than half an hour. So that's quick before you rest your case. Can I remind you if he's convicted, he faces life in prison? So the question, did the defense do enough to save that boy? We're back in a moment.