Iraqi Testifies at U.S. Soldiers' Trial

An Iraqi civilian testified Wednesday that he and his cousin were forced at gunpoint into the murky Tigris River and that U.S. soldiers laughed while the two struggled against the current. Marwan Fadel Hassoun said he struggled to shore and tried to save his 19-year-old cousin by grabbing his hand, but the powerful waters swept Zaidoun Fadel Hassoun to his death. "He was calling my name, said 'Help me! Help me!''' Marwan testified through an interpreter on the second day of the military trial for Army Sgt. 1st Class Tracy Perkins, 33. Perkins is charged with involuntary manslaughter, conspiracy, aggravated assault, obstruction of justice, and lying to investigators. He and Army 1st Lt. Jack Saville, 24, could receive up to 29 years in prison if convicted. The defense denies that Zaidoun died in the river. Saville's trial was postponed until March after a judge ordered the victim's body to be exhumed for an autopsy and identification. Marwan testified that he and his cousin had driven into Samarra with plumbing supplies in January 2004 and were stopped at 10:45 p.m., 15 minutes before curfew, after their truck broke down. [more]