A Penn State student was among three Pennsylvania soldiers discharged from the U.S. Army earlier this month in connection with mistreating Iraqi prisoners.

Timothy F. Canjar, along with two other soldiers, was scheduled to face court martials this month but instead chose to have a commander judge their conduct without a jury trial, military spokesman Lt. Col. Vic Harris told The Associated Press.

During the nonjudicial hearing, Canjar was found to have held a detainee's legs apart while others kicked him in the groin on May 12 in southern Iraq.

Canjar was demoted two ranks, from specialist to private, and received a "general, under honorable discharge."

Canjar could not be reached for comment.