HONOLULU (AP) – A Marine sergeant accused of hazing a lance corporal in his squad who later committed suicide in Afghanistan will go trial this week.
Sgt. Benjamin Johns has been charged with a wrongfully humiliating and demeaning Lance Cpl. Harry Lew, who killed himself on April 3.
He’s also charged with failing to supervise and ensure the welfare of Marines under his care.
His general court-martial at the Marine base in Kaneohe Bay begins Monday with the selection of a jury.
Johns denies the charges. His attorney says Johns was protecting his Marines in line with his training.
Another lance corporal in the squad last week pleaded guilty to assaulting Lew. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail and demoted to private first class.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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