From the Japan Times online:
The United States agreed to transfer the suspect, William O. Reese, 21,
after the Kanagawa Prefectural Police obtained a warrant for his arrest. According to police sources, Reese admitted to Japanese police Friday to killing Yoshie Sato, 56, on Tuesday. The sailor had been held at the U.S. naval base in yokosuka. “Transfer of custody is absolutely the right thing to do in this case, and it is symbolic of the outstanding relationship that existed between our two governments, the close cooperation that has been the hallmark of this ongoing investigation, and the relevance of the Status of Forces Agreement,” Rear Adm. James Kelly, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Japan, said in a statement.
Eddie has some very insightful commentary on this over at his blog. Also there is a spirited debate going on as to whether turning him over to Japan would get him the severest punishment. I agree with RADM Kelly here, turning him over to the government of Japan is the only correct thing to do here and quite within the tenants of US law. That he might not get the sentence that some think he should get is beside the point. It shows the Japanese we respect their laws and sovereignty. Besides in theory he could get the death penalty, but most folks doubt that will happen.
Still leaves the root question to be answered though. Who goes out and in his right mind thinks its OK to rob a woman on the street? Where in the hell are they teaching that in America these days? That is what I don’t understand. How do you get to thinking that way at 21 years old?
