Rape Trial To Resume Amid Okinawans’ Anger

The trial of three U.S. servicemen accused of raping a 12-year-old girl resumes today amid resolute opposition to the American military presence on this tiny Pacific island.

The rape case has been a focal point for Okinawans’ anger over U.S. military bases which take up a full one-fifth of the island.

Two Marines and one sailor are accused of snatching the girl off a street Sept. 4, binding her arms with tape, driving her to a remote sugar cane field and raping her in their rented car.

Navy Seaman Marcus Gill, 22, of Woodville, Texas, has acknowledged raping the girl.

Marine Pfc. Rodrico Harp, 21, of Griffin, Ga., testified earlier this month that he and Kendrick Ledet, 20, of Waycross, Ga., had helped carry out the abduction but did not participate in the actual rape.

All three men are charged with rape causing injury, which carries a penalty of three years to life in prison. A panel of three judges will issue the verdict and sentence, probably in late January.

The trial has been an emotional one. The first session included the reading of an angry statement by the father of the victim saying he wishes he could kill his daughter’s attackers.

Gill’s and Harp’s wives also have taken the stand to apologize and appeal for leniency. This is an important strategy in Japan, where courts have no juries and more than 99 percent of defendants are convicted.

Today, prosecutors plan to finish their cross-examination of Harp before moving on to Gill and Ledet on Wednesday.

The trial has moved slowly because each statement must be translated. But much of Harp’s testimony has been translated only in very rough form or not at all.

Outside the courtroom, there have been frequent protests against the U.S. bases.