The Seoul District Court on Thursday made Albert Mcfarland, vice-chief of a mortuary in the United States' Eighth Army's camp at Yongsan, stand at the bar.

Late last month, the prosecution sought a summary indictment against him with a fine of 5 million won for violating toxic waste law, incurring public protest.

Justice Oh Jae-sung said... it's not fair the prosecution has sought a summary indictment, instead of a formal trial, for a case which is of great public concern.

The judge said he decided to have him be tried at the bar because the prosecution's investigation of the case was not sufficient, with the U.S. military personnel grilled just twice.

The 56-years-old mortuary specialist in Yongsan Garrison is accused of instructing two subordinate employees, including Korean-American Harris Kim, to dispose of 227 liters of formaldehyde on Feb. 9, 2000 by dumping them through a mortuary drain that emptied into the Han River.

The U.S. Forces in Korea (USFK) admitted to the charges when announcing the results of its internal probe last September.