U.S. soldier found innocent of killing Iraqi

FORT HOOD, Texas (Reuters) - A U.S. military panel has found an Army sergeant innocent of killing an Iraqi civilian, but guilty of
assault, for having subordinates force the Iraqi off a bridge over the Tigris River, where prosecutors said he drowned.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Tracy Perkins was cleared of a charge of involuntary manslaughter, but found guilty on charges of assault and
obstruction of justice. He was also cleared on a charge of making false statements.

Sentencing of Perkins, 33, a 14-year Army veteran, will begin on Saturday by the same jury panel. He faces a maximum of 11.5 years in
prison on his conviction for assault and obstruction of justice.

The military panel had deliberated for more than 16 hours before delivering its verdict late on Friday night.

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