Sgt. Adam M. Holcomb, in the first case of eight to be tried in court, was acquitted on the most serious charges in the death of Pvt. Danny Chen, a Chinese-American from Manhattan who killed himself last year while deployed in Afghanistan. Kirk Semple reports that Sergeant Holcomb was convicted on two counts of maltreatment and one count of assault consummated by battery. The charges could carry a jail sentence of up to two years. After the verdict was read on Monday, the court-martial moved into the sentencing phase. The court was expected to begin sentencing deliberations on Tuesday.
Sergeant Holcomb is a member of the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. Four other soldiers - Staff Sgt. Andrew J. Van Bockel, Sgt. Jeffrey T. Hurst, Specialist Thomas P. Curtis and Specialist Ryan J. Offutt - were//ARE?// accused of involuntary manslaughter, negligent homicide and assaul t consummated by battery, among other crimes, relating to the suicide of Pvt. Chen.we say first of eight, but counting him and these four there are five?
Mr. Semple reports:
In testimony during the sentencing hearing, Sergeant Holcomb expressed regret and said he was suffering from symptoms that resembled post-traumatic stress disorder after three deployments to war zones.
He said he had not had a brain scan, but added, “I know there's issues up there.†Private Chen's suicide resonated deeply in the Chinese population in New York City and around the country and became a rallying cause for activists and others who have pressed the Army to improve conditions for Asians.
More than a dozen supporters of the Chen family traveled here from New York for the court-martial, which was covered by numerous local and national reporters, including correspondents for at least four Chinese-language media organizations.
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