Updated Feb 24, 2012 - 6:07 pm

Marine found not guilty in Hawaii hazing trial

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Source: National News
Originally published: Feb 24, 2012 - 6:07 pm

In this file photo from Monday, Jan. 30, 2012, Lance Cpl. Carlos Orozco III walks to the courtroom of the Legal Services Center of Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Lawyers will deliver their final arguments Friday, Feb. 24, 2012 to a military jury in the trial of a Orozco, who is accused of hazing another Marine who later killed himself in Afghanistan shortly after the alleged abuse. Orozco has been charged with assault, humiliating Lew, and cruelty and maltreatment. The charges say Orozco struck Lew in the back with his foot and ordered Lew to do push ups and leg lifts with a sandbag. Orozco is the third Marine to be tried for actions toward Lew. Another lance corporal pleaded guilty to assault. A jury acquitted a sergeant. (AP Photo/Kent Nishimura)

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Associated Press

KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii (AP) - A military jury has decided a Marine is not guilty of hazing a fellow lance corporal who killed himself in Afghanistan.

The panel of three officers and five enlisted Marines found Lance Cpl. Carlos Orozco III not guilty Friday in a court-martial at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

He was acquitted of charges involving the assault, cruel treatment and humiliation of Lance Cpl. Harry Lew, of Santa Clara, Calif. Lew was a nephew of U.S. Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif.

Lew fatally shot himself with his machine gun at their Afghanistan patrol base last April.

Orozco is the last of three Marines to be court-martialed for the alleged hazing of Lew. Another lance corporal last month pleaded guilty to assault. A jury found their squad leader not guilty of humiliating and demeaning Lew.

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