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2h ago

U.S. Marine Indicted in Naha Hotel Killing

The indictment hands Japan legal control of the case.

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A demonstrator holds a placard during a protest outside the Prime Minister’s office following the killing of a woman in Naha, who Devin Ballard, a US Marine, is charged with robbing and murdering, in Tokyo, Japan, on October 5. Photo: Reuters
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Overview

  • On Sunday, Oct. 25, Naha prosecutors indicted Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard on a charge of robbery causing death in the Oct. 3 death of 39-year-old Anna Yagi.
  • The indictment alleges Ballard strangled the woman with a telephone handset cord and stole her backpack, claims prosecutors say are supported by CCTV footage and physical identifiers.
  • Ballard, who was arrested by Okinawa police days after the killing and has denied the accusations, remains in Japanese custody as the criminal process moves forward.
  • U.S. forces on Okinawa say they are cooperating with investigators while commanders have kept curfews, alcohol bans and other liberty restrictions in place for service members.
  • The case has increased local demands to review the 1960 U.S.–Japan Status of Forces Agreement and could drive further political and diplomatic talks about how U.S. personnel are governed on the island.