U.S. Soldier Sentenced After Killing a Friend With Hiccups

A soldier stationed at Fort Hood, Texas has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, saying he accidentally shot his friend while trying to cure his hiccups.

U.S. Army officials say 27 year old Patrick Edward Myers, of Spartanburg, S.C., was sentenced Thursday to 3 1/2 years in military prison. He was also demoted to private and will receive a bad-conduct discharge.

In September, Myers and two friends were drinking and watching a football game at an apartment off-base in Killeen.  Police said Myers pointed a handgun at Pfc. Isaac Young and shot him in the face.

Myers told police he thought the handgun had dummy rounds and was trying to scare his friend so his hiccups would stop.

Young was from Ash Grove, Missouri. He was 22.