Prosecution Concludes Its Case, Defense Calls First Witness in Holcomb Trial

Thursday saw the third day of testimony in the court martial of Sgt. Adam
Holcomb, an infantryman assigned to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 25th
Infantry Division. Holcomb is facing court martial in connection with the death of Pvt. Danny Chen in Afghanistan Oct. 3, 2011.

The prosecution called a further seven witnesses, including members of Holcomb's unit, Pvt. Danny Chen's high school friend and fellow soldier, an Army Criminal Investigation Command Special Agent and a U.S. Air Force medical examiner who performed the autopsy on Chen's remains.

The forensic pathologist who performed Chen's autopsy testified that he found two phrases written in black ink on Chen's left forearm.

One said "Tell my parents I'm sorry.'' The other was "Veggie-pull the plug," according to a Fayetteville Observer news report.

Air Force Lt. Col. Edward Mazuchowski testified that he could not be certain that Chen was the one who wrote the phrases on his arm.

The defense called one witness before the court was recessed at about 4:30 p.m. The court martial of Sgt. Adam Holcomb will resume July 27, 2012, at 8:30 a.m.

The case is docketed through tomorrow, July 27, but may be extended as necessary.