Soldier pleads guilty in hazing case

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (AP) - Another soldier is being punished for his role in the suicide of an Army private, who authorities say killed himself because he was hazed over his Chinese ancestry.

The Fayetteville Observer reported that Spc. Thomas Curtis pleaded guilty Monday to hazing, assault and other charges in the suicide of Pvt. Danny Chen of New York last fall in Afghanistan.

The 27-year-old Curtis from Hendersonville, Tenn., was sentenced to about three months in prison and a demotion to private. Prosecutors wanted up to nine months in prison, reduced rank, and a bad conduct discharge

Curtis apologized to Chen's family, saying he had gone too far in pushing the 19-year-old soldier.

Curtis is the fifth soldier from Chen's Alaska-based unit to stand trial. Eight soldiers are charged in the case.