Eight Fort Wainwright Soldiers Charged

Offutt and seven other soldiers charged with negligent homicide

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By KTVA CBS 11 News
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Story Created: Jan 24, 2012 at 3:10 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Jan 24, 2012 at 4:54 PM AKDT

Specialist Ryan Offutt is one of eight Fort Wainwright soldiers being charged in the death of 19-year old Private Danny Chen.

Chen was found dead in a guard tower, in Afghanistan, with an apparent self inflicted gunshot wound on October 3.

At a hearing, Sunday, at Kandahar Air Field, the investigative officer recommended Offutt, 32, be court marshaled on charges including maltreatment, assault, reckless endangerment and negligent homicide.

Army officials say Chen was essentially bullied to death.

According to Chen’s parents, it happened because of his race.

The hearing did not recommend Offutt face trial on a charge of manslaughter.

The seven other members of the First Striker Brigade Combat Team 25th Infantry Division, are scheduled to face similar hearings over the coming month.

Published reports say, Chen’s family is upset that Offutt will not face trial for Manslaughter charge.


 

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Randy said on Tuesday, Jan 24 at 9:00 PM

I served 22 years in the Army (13 years Active Duty and 9 years part-time National Guard) and had problems with white people, especially in Anchorage and down in the south because of being Native Alaskan. Even a few black soldiers gave me the look of hatred, for what reason I don't know. Most people did not like me being around until they realized I was in the service. Then they acted like it was okay because of that. There is no draft and Private Danny Chen chose to serve America and this is what he got. May God bless his soul and I pray his family can deal with his death and someday heal from this unfortunate ordeal because of ignorant people like that.

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