An American soldier went on trial on Tuesday on charges of forcing two Iraqi civilians off a bridge, killing one of them.Sgt. 1st Class Tracy Perkins appeared before a panel at Fort Hood, Texas.

He faces up to 29 years in prison if convicted with charges including involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault.

Perkins, 33, and Army 1st Lt. Jack Saville were accused of ordering their subordinates to push Zaidoun Fadel Hassoun, 19 and his cousin, Marwan Fadel Hassoun, into the Tigris River from a bridge on Jan. 3, 2004, near Samarra, 60 miles (about 96 km) northof Baghdad.

US Army prosecutors said Zaidoun was found dead after falling from the bridge, and Marwan left the river without injuries. The two Iraqis were detained for violating a curfew.

Witnesses called by the prosecutors said they heard Perkins order his subordinators to force the two Iraqis off the bridge 10 to 12 feet (3 to 3.6 meters) above.

Defense attorneys contended that the prosecutors could not prove a homicide, saying there was no body, no death and no crime. Prosecutors' witnesses acknowledged that no body was recovered or exhumed and they used only a videotape of what Zaidoun's family says is his body during the trial, which will last for three days.

Saville's trial was postponed until March.

Source: Xinhua