FAYETTEVILLE, N.C., Aug. 16 (UPI) -- A trial began in North Carolina Thursday for a U.S. Army sergeant accused of failing to prevent abuse that allegedly led to a soldier's suicide in Afghanistan.
Staff Sgt. Blaine G. Dugas Jr., 36, of Port Arthur, Texas, is the third non-commissioned to be court-martialed in the death of Pvt. Danny Chen, the Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer reported.
Dugas is accused of failing "to foster a climate in which everyone is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of race," court documents state.
Investigators said Chen was mistreated and abused by other soldiers because of his Chinese-American heritage. The abuse led to Chen's suicide in Afghanistan Oct. 3, 2011.
Officials said Dugas should have prevented the abuse.
Dugas is also accused of giving a false statement to investigators and wrongfully possessing and consuming alcohol.
His trial began Thursday at Fort Bragg, KIII-TV, Corpus Cristi, Texas, reported.
Five other soldiers are expected to face courts-martial in the coming weeks.
