FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- An Army sergeant found guilty of maltreatment and assault has been sentenced to 30 days in prison, demoted to specialist and forced to forfeit one month's pay for his role in the alleged racial hazing and suicide of Pvt. Danny Chen.
A 10-member military jury sentenced Sgt. Adam Holcomb of Youngstown, Ohio, on Tuesday morning. The jury on Monday found him guilty of maltreatment of a subordinate and assault consummated by battery, but cleared him of the most serious charge -- negligent homicide.
Military prosecutors said Holcomb and seven other soldiers charged in Chen's death physically and emotionally abused the 19-year-old.
The defense argued Chen was an incompetent soldier who killed himself because his family disowned him.
The second of eight courts-martial in Chen's death is scheduled for August 13.