Japan Press Weekly

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2017 November 29 - December 5 [US FORCES]

Ex-marine sentenced to life in prison for murder/rape of Okinawan woman

The Naha District Court on December 1 gave the life sentence demanded by the prosecution to former U.S. Marine Kenneth Shinzato who was accused of raping and killing a 20-year-old Okinawan woman in Uruma City.

Okinawa Governor Onaga Takeshi issued a comment on the court decision.

In the comment, Onaga condemned the former marine for brutally murdering a young woman and said, “I can only imagine how deep her bereaved family feel sorrow and the mental agony they’ve had to endure.”

Onaga went on to say, “In my position as the governor tasked with protecting residents’ lives and properties and ensuring that future generations will live without anxieties, I will again urge the U.S. military to tighten discipline among military and civilian personnel, take necessary measures to prevent a recurrence, and provide thorough instructions to all servicemen and military-related people to avoid accidents and criminal acts.”

Past related article:
> Okinawa prosecutor demands life sentence on ex-US marine for rape and murder [November 25, 2017]