Fact Check: Judge calls marine's attack 'vicious' after victim choked for one to two minutes.

Fact Check: Judge Calls Marine's Attack 'Vicious' After Victim Choked for One to Two Minutes

What We Know

A U.S. Marine, Lance Cpl. Jamel Clayton, was sentenced to seven years in prison by a Japanese court for sexually assaulting a woman in Okinawa. The court found that Clayton choked the victim from behind and attempted sexual intercourse, causing her significant injuries. During the sentencing, Judge Kazuhiko Obata described the attack as "vicious," noting that the victim was choked for a duration of one to two minutes (BBC, Washington Post). The judge emphasized the credibility of the victim's testimony, which was a key factor in the court's decision (AP News).

Analysis

The claim that the judge referred to the attack as "vicious" and that the victim was choked for one to two minutes is supported by multiple credible sources. The BBC reported directly on the judge's characterization of the attack as "vicious," corroborating the specifics of the choking duration (BBC). Similarly, the Washington Post and AP News also confirmed the details of the assault and the judge's comments, reinforcing the reliability of the information (Washington Post, AP News).

The sources used in this fact check are reputable news organizations known for their journalistic standards. The BBC and AP News are particularly recognized for their global reporting, while the Washington Post has a strong reputation in investigative journalism. The consistency across these sources adds to the credibility of the claim.

Conclusion

The claim that a judge described the marine's attack as "vicious" and noted that the victim was choked for one to two minutes is True. This is substantiated by multiple credible news reports that detail the court proceedings and the judge's statements during sentencing.

Sources

1. US marine jailed for seven years for sexual assault in Japan - BBC
2. Japanese court convicts a US Marine in sexual assault, sentencing him - Washington Post
3. Japanese court sentences a US Marine to 7 years in prison for sexual assault - AP News
4. US soldier charged in Japan for rape of minor - BBC
5. Marine sentenced to 7 years in Japanese prison for attempted sexual assault - Stars and Stripes