Locals say Hadnott's 36-month sentence is too short

Locals say Hadnott's 36-month sentence is too short
By Chiyomi Sumida, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Sunday, May 18, 2008

NAHA, Okinawa — Okinawans had mixed reactions to Friday’s court-martial and sentencing of Marine Staff Sgt. Tyrone Hadnott, who was given 48 months of confinement and a dishonorable discharge for molesting a 14-year-old Okinawa girl in February.

"I do not quite get it," said Shigeko Urasaki, a representative of an Okinawa women’s advocacy group, Women’s Net. "The sentence is too light for the vicious nature of the crime. What were the extenuating circumstances for his behavior?"

There were none, she said, adding that she regretted Hadnott was not tried under Japanese law. Japanese prosecutors decided to drop the case after the 14-year-old girl who accused Hadnott of raping her withdrew her complaint.

The girl said she did not want any more publicity.

Two men questioned in downtown Naha agreed the sentence seemed too light.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=54877