Marine hazing trial shifts to closing arguments

KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii — Attorneys are scheduled to deliver closing arguments in the court-martial of a Hawaii-based Marine sergeant accused of hazing a lance corporal who later committed suicide.

Sgt. Benjamin Johns is charged with violating a lawful order by wrongfully humiliating and demeaning Lance Cpl. Harry Lew. Lawyers will deliver their last statements Thursday to the jury at a Marine base at Kaneohe Bay.

The 26-year-old from Russelville, Ark., is accused of forcing Lew to dig a foxhole as punishment for falling asleep on duty in Afghanistan. He also is accused of not intervening when another Marine ordered Lew to carry sandbags around their base.

The sergeant's attorney says the foxhole was needed to protect the base and Johns tried to stop the sandbag carrying.

Lew committed suicide on April 3.