In the case of U.S. vs. Maj. Nidal Hasan, the trial judge, Col. Gregory Gross, ruled on several matters in the Lawrence J. Williams Judicial Center here, including pending discovery motions brought by defense.

The judge partially granted a defense motion seeking background material on the selection of potential panel members and granted defense access to a previously conducted legal review.

The judge, however, denied defense motions seeking to interview a member of the Department of the Army's Public Affairs Office concerning Vocus (commercially-produced software used to analyze press reports) and also denied defense access to government expert Evan Kohlmann's personal library.

The accused was not present in court today and continued to view court proceedings via a closed-circuit feed in a location adjacent to the courtroom.

At the next Article 39a hearing, currently scheduled for 10 a.m. on July 12, the judge is expected to rule on other pending motions and will hear argument over a proposed written questionnaire for potential panel members to answer before reporting for panel duty. The judge will also take up any new matters raised by the parties.

The accused is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.