Col. Gregory Gross said Friday that top Army officials have rejected Maj. Nidal Hasan's request for a religious exemption due to his Islamic faith. An appeals court also denied a defense request to overturn the judge's decision last week to bar Hasan from future hearings unless he shaves.
Hasan's beard violates Army regulations. He watched Friday's hearing from a closed-circuit TV in a nearby room.
The Army psychiatrist charged in the 2009 attack that claimed 13 lives faces the death penalty if convicted.
The judge hasn't ruled on whether to delay the August trial. The defense wants more time to prepare.
