BERLIN, Oct 8, 2008 (AFP) - The US military said Wednesday that a private is to be tried over the death of Army Sergeant Juwan Johnson, beaten to death by a gang in Germany in July 2005.

Private Bobby D. Morrissette of the 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion based in Grafenwoehr, Germany, faces charges including involuntary manslaughter, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, and participation in 'gang initiation rituals,' according to a statement.

He is also charged with impeding an investigation, impeding a trial by court-martial, and two counts of wilfully disobeying a superior commissioned officer, the statement from the 7th Army Joint Multinational Training Command in Grafenwoehr said.

Morrissette is also accused of committing an indecent act on a girl in the presence of another person and wrongful use of a controlled substance, both stemming from separate incidents, it said.