Danny Chen

The third military member to go on trial in connection with the Danny Chen suicide case was sentenced to three months in prison and a demotion to private. The punishment again drew the ire of the Chinatown community.

Spc. Thomas Porter Curtis pled guilty to hazing, two counts of maltreatment, and two counts of assault. Unlike the previous soldier who was tried, Spc. Ryan Offutt, Curtis was not dishonorably discharged from the military.

Curtis is the third of eight military members connected to Chen’s suicide on October 3. Prior to his suicide, Chen consistently expressed his frustration with the unprovoked hazing, and at one point indicated to a fellow soldier that it was driving him toward suicide.

After the sentencing, Council Member Margaret Chin, who has been a loud voice in the fight for Chen’s justice, again voiced her displeasure about the military’s seemingly-light punitive action.

“Spc. Curtis admitted that he targeted Danny because of his race, he admitted that he knew what he did was wrong, and he admitted that he did it anyway,” Chin said. “This is not a person who is fit to serve in the United States Military… the behavior of the soldiers tried in connection with Danny’s death paints a sordid picture of the state of our Army”

“This is a insipid threat that turns our servicemen and women against one another. Not dishonorably discharging individuals who are found guilty of hazing is to weaken the United States military.”

The case has ignited vociferous discussion about the treatment of Asian-Americans in the military and the maltreatment of lower-level recruits by their superiors.

There was an outrage after the first tried soldier, Sgt. Adam Holcomb, was sentenced to a mere 30 days in military prison, but then it seemed things were going in Chin’s direction. After Spc. Ryan Offutt was sentenced to dishonorable discharge, rank demotion, and six months in prison, Chin expressed a more satisfied attitude and indicated a step toward rightful justice. Curtis’s punishment, though, can only portend further dissatisfaction from those seeking ‘justice’ for Chen’s suicide.

The remaining five members await court marshall in Fort Bragg, N.C.

-Nick Gallinelli

The next military member to be on trial in the Danny Chen suicide case pleaded guilty on Monday, leading to a smoother resolution than Sgt. Adam Holcomb’s trial last month. Spc. Ryan Offutt reportedly pleaded guilty to charges of maltreatment and hazing.
Offutt was sentenced to six months in prison, rank demotion and discharge.

“This sentence is a victory for the Chen family and for all Americans,” Council Member Margaret Chin said in a statement regarding the decision. “The removal of Spc. Offutt from the Army is necessary to make clear that the United States military will not tolerate racism, bigotry and abuse at the hands of superior officers.”

The military court’s decision comes a couple of weeks after the controversial Adam Holcomb trial. Holcomb’s acquittal on negligent homicide charges and subsequent punishment spurred reprimand from the Chinatown community and Asian-American politicians. Holcomb was sentenced to 30 days in military prison, a fine slightly more than $1,000 and a rank demotion.

Pvt. Chen shot himself on Oct. 3 while on duty in Afghanistan. Six more soldiers await court martial in North Carolina. Chen was a Chinatown resident.

The next military member to be on trial in the Danny Chen suicide case pleaded guilty to reduced on Monday, starting a smoother process than Sgt. Adam Holcomb’s last month.

Spc. Ryan Offutt was sentenced to six months in prison, rank demotion, and discharge.

“This sentence is a victory for the Chen family and for all Americans,” Council Member Margaret Chin said in a statement regarding the decision. “The removal of Spc. Offutt from the Army is necessary to make clear that the United States Military will not tolerate racism, bigotry, and abuse at the hands of superior officers.”

After pleading guilty to hazing, reckless endangerment and negligent homicide charges against Offutt were dropped, the Daily News said. Offutt had initially faced up to four years in prison.

The military court’s decision comes a couple weeks after the controversial Adam Holcomb trial. Holcomb, whose acquittal of negligent homicide charges and subsequent ‘slap-on-the-wrist’ sentencing spurred reprimand from the Chinatown community and Asian-American politicians. Holcomb was sentenced to 30 days in military prison, a fine slightly more than $1,000, and a rank demotion.

Offutt, along with Holcomb and five other soldiers, is believed to be the direct cause for Pvt. Chen’s suicide last year. Chen shot himself on October 3 after telling his fellow soldiers that his superiors were the reason for the suicide.

Six more soldiers await court martial in North Carolina.

Chen was a Chinatown resident.