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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009
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4 GIs Charged With Hazing Suicide Soldier

Ashamed private later shot himself in portable toilet

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(Newser) – Four US Army soldiers in Iraq have been charged with cruelty and maltreatment for hazing a private who later killed himself, MSNBC reports. The NCOs allegedly hazed 19-year-old Keiffer P. Wilhelm with excessive physical exercise while showering him with verbal abuse. Wilhelm, self-conscious about his weight, shot himself in a portable toilet about 2 weeks ago. The soldiers face between 8 and 25 years in prison.

Sgt. Enoch Chatman and Staff Sgt. Bob Clements face the most charges, including making false statements, reckless endangerment, and impeding an investigation. Sgt. Jarrett Taylor and Spc. Daniel Weber face fewer but could serve nearly 10 years each. “Accusations of cruelty and maltreatment are taken very seriously, and we will investigate this isolated incident thoroughly,” a general tells the Military Times.

US Army soldiers in Iraq.
US Army soldiers in Iraq.   (AP Photo)
US Army soldiers from the 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry, Fort Hood, Texas prepare their weapons before departing on a patrol at an American base on the outskirts of Baghdad, Iraq.
US Army soldiers from the 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry, Fort Hood, Texas prepare their weapons before departing on a patrol at an American base on the outskirts of Baghdad, Iraq.   (AP Photo)
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10 comments
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hoggkm
Aug 21, 09 4:25 PM CDT
Gotta Be tough to be in the Military Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
-6
meliss079
Aug 21, 09 6:58 PM CDT
i agree you have to tough to be in the army. but it is an awefully weak minded person that breaks down his team mate. Reply
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+10
IN RESPONSE:
BoZo
Aug 21, 09 8:40 PM CDT
It's an awfully weak-minded that kills himself.
Vote up! Vote down!
-6
IN RESPONSE:
newzjunkie
Aug 22, 09 1:47 AM CDT
Wow, some very cold people on here. Bozo is a good name for you sir/madame.
Vote up! Vote down!
+3
Deebles
Aug 21, 09 7:45 PM CDT
Seems they all watched Full-Metal Jacket. As a pacifist, I hate to admit that no one can make someone commit suicide. The ability to murder self is there or not. That ass holes will persecute the weak is as American as the fucks who watch O'Reilley. It is nature that makes people or chickens gang together and peck the weak. This poor man with suicidal tendencies should have never been in Iraq to begin with. Reply
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+2

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