Fact Check: "Judge calls marine's attack 'vicious', victim choked for one to two minutes"
What We Know
A recent court ruling in Japan sentenced US Marine Lance Cpl. Jamel Clayton to seven years in prison for the sexual assault of a woman in Okinawa. The court found that during the attack, Clayton choked the victim from behind while attempting sexual intercourse. According to reports, the victim was choked for "one to two minutes," and Judge Kazuhiko Obata described the attack as "vicious" during sentencing (BBC). The court emphasized the credibility of the victim's testimony, despite the defense's claims regarding her intoxication and inconsistencies in her account (BBC).
Analysis
The claim that the judge described the attack as "vicious" and that the victim was choked for "one to two minutes" is directly supported by the court's findings as reported by multiple credible sources. The BBC article provides a detailed account of the case, highlighting the judge's comments during sentencing and the nature of the assault (BBC).
The reliability of the source is high, as the BBC is a well-established news organization known for its rigorous journalistic standards. The information presented aligns with the court's official ruling and the statements made by the judge, thereby reinforcing the accuracy of the claim.
While the defense attempted to undermine the victim's credibility by pointing to her intoxication, the court ultimately found her testimony credible, which further substantiates the severity of the attack as described by the judge. The context of the case, including its implications for US military personnel in Japan, adds further weight to the seriousness of the incident.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that the judge called the marine's attack "vicious" and stated that the victim was choked for "one to two minutes" is accurate. The evidence from reliable sources confirms both the judge's characterization of the attack and the details of the assault as found in the court's ruling.
