FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) -- A soldier has testified in military court that Army Pvt. Danny Chen said he was having suicidal thoughts days before he committed suicide.
The Fayetteville Observer reports Pfc. Degan Berhe testified Thursday that he did not tell his supervisors of Chen's suicidal thoughts because he did not trust them after their treatment of Chen.
Sgt. Adam Holcomb of Youngstown, Ohio, is accused of hazing 19-year-old Chen because of his Chinese heritage while they were deployed in Afghanistan. Holcomb's court-martial started Monday. He faces up to 18 years in prison if convicted on all charges, which include negligent homicide.
Prosecutors say Chen killed himself because of the hazing from Holcomb and seven other soldiers. Defense attorneys argue Chen was disowned by his family and that caused the suicide.
