Marine sergeant not guilty in hazing case

Marine sergeant not guilty in hazing case

KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii (AP) — A military jury has found a Marine sergeant not guilty of charges in the hazing of a lance corporal in his squad.

The general court-martial jury of three officers and five enlisted Marines announced their verdict in the trial of Sgt. Benjamin Johns today. The jury announced its verdict after deliberating for just one hour.

Johns was charged with violating a lawful order by wrongfully humiliating and demeaning Lance Cpl. Harry Lew, who committed suicide on April 3.

Prosecutors alleged Johns hazed the lance corporal by forcing him to dig a foxhole as punishment for falling asleep on guard duty in Afghanistan.

The 26-year-old from Russelville, Ark. was also accused of not intervening when another Marine ordered Lew to carry sandbags around their base.

Johns’ attorney says the foxhole was needed to protect the base and Johns tried to stop the sandbag carrying.