Court martial proceedings began Tuesday for the first soldier charged in the death of a Manhattan Army private.

Friends and family of Danny Chen made the trip to Fort Bragg in North Carolina for the military hearing.

Investigators say Chen shot himself while stationed in Afghanistan after weeks of severe hazing.

Sergeant Adam Holcomb and seven others face a variety of charges including negligent homicide and assault.

Holcomb's court martial is expected to run through Friday.