Fort Hood, Texas (CNN) -- The backup legal team for admitted Fort Hood gunman Maj. Nidal Hasan asked to withdraw from active participation in the case Wednesday, telling a judge that Hasan wants to be sentenced to death. The request brought Hasan's court-martial to a screeching halt on what would have been the second day of testimony. The presiding judge, Col. Tara Osborn, recessed court until Thursday to hold a closed-door hearing with Hasan and his lawyers. Hasan is representing himself on charges that he shot and killed 13 people and wounded 32 in the November 2009 rampage at the installation, near Killeen, Texas. But Osborn ruled before the court-martial began that defense lawyers would act as stand-by counsel during the proceedings.
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NEW: Hasan has the right to defend himself, even "poorly," expert says
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Admitted Fort Hood gunman "is working towards a death penalty," lawyer says
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Hasan objected to that description; the dispute cut short proceedings Wednesday
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Hasan faces a death sentence if convicted of 13 killings and 32 attempted murder counts
But he refused to submit his objection in writing, a move that @placeholder requested to avoid revealing privileged information, and insisted on being heard in open court.