Prosecutors, who have filed thirteen charges of premeditated murder, are seeking the death penalty for Major Nidal Malik Hasan, the shooter behind last week's massacre at Fort Hood, in Texas. The decision to try the case in a military court indicates that investigators believe Hasan acted alone — not with the aid of other conspirators or terrorist groups. It also means that the case is likely set for years of legal battles — in the past 25 years, fifteen members of the military have received death sentences, and so far none have been killed. The last soldier to be put to death was hanged in 1961. If he is convicted, President Obama will have to sign off on his death order.

Military to Seek Death Penalty in Fort Hood Shooting [WSJ]