Staff Sgt - 8 Us Soldiers Charged In Comrade's Death

(12-21) 10:14 PST New York (AP)

Eight U.S. troops were billed within the dying of a new fellow GI which professionals express well shot him self around Afghanistan soon after being assaulted as well as taunted with racial insults by his or her comrades.

Pvt. Danny Chen, a 19-year-old from New York's Chinatown neighborhood, ended up being observed inactive within a safeguard tower within Kandahar land Oct. three using what the particular Army mentioned has been an visible self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Elizabeth OuYang, us president from the New York chapter in the Organization of Chinese Americans, reported in the reports seminar Wednesday within Chinatown in which Chen's bloke troopers have drawn him surrounding the floor, used gallstones on the back involving his head, made your ex to cling the liquid with his / her mouth area although upside down included in a great clear hazing, in addition to known as him "Jackie Chen" from a mocking accent.

The Army explained Wednesday in which eight troops around their company include been charged by using offences ranging from dereliction associated with responsibility to be able to manslaughter.

At the reports conference, Chen's kinfolk mentioned we were looking at encouraged because of the charges.

"We realize that Danny won't ever return, but it really offers people several hope," said Yen Tao Chen, his father, talking by having a translator.

Community activists said that Army nonetheless have not fully defined this circumstances regarding Chen's death. They are generally meeting with Pentagon officers Jan. 4.

"We have to recognize the whole truth," U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y., explained in the information conference. She added: "Racial discrimination and intolerance have zero place throughout modern military."

The Army declared previously it really is checking out Chen's death.

Chen was assigned towards the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, first Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, structured with Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

In your statement, the Army identified the actual soldiers recharged seeing that 1st Lt. Daniel J. Schwartz, Staff Sgt . Blaine G. Dugas, Staff Sgt . Andrew J. Van Bockel, Sgt. Adam M. Holcomb, Sgt. Jeffrey T. Hurst, Spc. Thomas P. Curtis, Spc. Ryan J. Offutt and also Sgt. Travis F. Carden. Their hometowns were being not immediately released.

VanBockel, Holcomb, Hurst, Curtis and also Offutt were billed with the many considerable offenses, including involuntary manslaughter, negligent homicide, along with attack in addition to battery.

Schwartz, this simply police officer one of several accused, together with costed together with dereliction connected with duty.