The father of a Manhattan Army private who committed suicide took the stand Wednesday in the court martial of one of the soldiers charged in connection with his death.

A day after his mother testified, Private Danny Chen's father talked about his relationship with his son in the trial of Sergeant Adam Holcomb in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Yao Tan Chen denied allegations from the defense that he disowned his son and that their relationship was strained.

Chen said he was supportive of the 19-year-old's decision to join the army and said Danny never told him he was ever verbally or physically abused because he didn't want his family to worry.

Sergeant Holcomb of Ohio is one of eight soldiers charged with negligent homicide in connection with Chen's death.

In opening statements, a military prosecutor claimed Chen killed himself after being tormented by Holcomb because of his ethnicity.

They say the hazing went on for weeks.