U.S. Marine indicted in Okinawa robbery and murder case
publishers 18articles 18first reported 25 Oct, 08:26 UTCdeveloping since 25 Oct · 8 editions
Prosecutors in Okinawa Prefecture indicted U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, on robbery and murder charges Sunday in connection with the death of a 39-year-old woman at a hotel in Naha.
According to the indictment, Ballard allegedly wrapped a telephone cord around the woman’s neck and suffocated her between about 2:10 a.m. and 4:15 a.m. on Oct. 3. He is also accused of taking her backpack, which contained a wallet and other belongings.
The Japan Times reported that the woman checked into the hotel with a man at about 2:10 a.m. and was found dead by an employee after she did not leave by checkout time. Security footage showed a man resembling Ballard, including tattoos on both arms, leaving with a backpack, the newspaper reported. The backpack was later found near the hotel.
Okinawa Prefectural Police subsequently located and arrested Ballard on suspicion of robbery and murder. Ballard is stationed at U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan. Prosecutors have not disclosed whether he has admitted to the charges.
Hiroya Ishii, deputy chief of the Naha District Public Prosecutors Office, said prosecutors would seek to prove the case at trial based on the law and evidence.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 5 articles, 2 with the publisher's own text; 5 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 12 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 18
- Source articles
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- Given to the writer
- 5, 2 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 5
- This version written
- 12 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
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- passed
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WHAT THE EDITOR DID
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