Witness to Fort Hood: Death penalty for Hasan is 'wonderful'

A military jury on Wednesday recommended the death penalty for convicted Fort Hood shooter Maj. Nidal Hasan, for the 2009 massacre that left 13 people dead and 32 others wounded.

Former Army Sgt. Howard Ray was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his actions at the Fort Hood shooting, where he was credited with saving the lives of six soldiers and three civilians.

"As a survivor of this atrocity, as an individual, I feel absolutely wonderful that justice has indeed been served," Ray said in reaction the verdict.

Ray told "The Lead with Jake Tapper" earlier this month, that he thought Nidal Hasan deserved the death penalty.

"This should serve as a reminder to this criminal, this murderer, that, no, you will not die a martyr, and indeed he will die as a result of our wonderful federal prosecution that was done in this case," said Ray. "The victims are also looking at this as a victory, because now we can move forward with getting the compensation and things that these victims so righteously deserve."

But a death sentence appears to be exactly what Hasan wanted all along. He offered no defense, he just sat there as the prosecution delivered this case.

"We should focus on the idea that it's the victims that are receiving the justice, and that he's not getting what he wants out of this decision from the jury," said Ray.

Ray said he and other victims do not quite feel closure yet.

"It doesn't ever really go away, but it does help us put the pieces together," said Ray.