Under the category of-it sucks to be this guy:
Police to seek arrest warrant for US sailor
Japanese police will seek an arrest warrant for a US sailor who has reportedly admitted to killing a taxi driver last month in Yokosuka, near Tokyo.
The taxi driver, Masaaki Takahashi, was found stabbed to death in his cab on March 19th. Three days after the killing, the US Navy in Japan detained the sailor on a desertion charge.
Navy investigators say the sailor, a crewmember of the US aegis cruiser Cowpens, based in Yokosuka, had initially denied involvement in the crime, but has since admitted to stabbing the cab driver.
A female acquaintance of the sailor reportedly told the investigators that the kitchen knife used for the murder resembles the one missing from her home.
A man who looks like the sailor was spotted in video footage from a security camera near a train station where the driver picked up his last passenger.
The sailor has reportedly made the same murder confession to Japanese police investigators who interrogated him at the US base in Yokosuka.
Under the Japan-US Status of Forces Agreement, a US serviceman who commits a crime in Japan is to remain in US custody until indicted by Japanese authorities.
But in case of serious crimes, a revised agreement allows the Japanese side to gain custody before indictment.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura said on Wednesday, the Japanese side would seek custody of the sailor if the case becomes solid.
2008/04/02 16:30
There is good video of the news story here. It is all over the Japanese news tonight of the handover of the little NIgerian bastard accused to the Yokouska police. Japan Probe also has coverage as well.
According to the Japanese news, a USFK style punishment of the innocent via a restrictive curfew and imposition of drinking ban is on its way.
Buy beer early!