[JURIST] Army sergeant Tracy Perkins was convicted of assault and battery and obstruction of justice Friday for his role in forcing two men into the Tigris river for violating curfew in January 2004. Acquitted of involuntary manslaughter, he still faces up to 11 1/2 years in prison. Both sides agree that the two men were forced into the water by US soldiers but the prosecution contended that only one man climbed out of the river; the defense produced three US soldiers who claimed to have seen two men on the river bank after the incident. AP has more. Previously in JURIST's Paper Chase:

• Military judge approves exhuming body
• Four US soldiers charged in drowning death of Iraqi man
• Defense in court-martial says drowning may not have occurred