Prosecutors indicted Ballard for strangling a woman in a Naha hotel
Japanese prosecutors indicted U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, over the death of 39-year-old Japanese woman Anna Yagi in Okinawa. Prosecutors allege Ballard strangled Yagi with a telephone cord at a hotel in Naha on Oct. 3 and stole her backpack. Japan's premier condemned the alleged killing as a “heinous crime.”
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A spokesman for the court in Naha said the indictment was filed Oct. 25. Prosecutors allege that on Oct. 3, Ballard used a telephone cord to strangle Yagi inside a Naha hotel, then took her backpack, which contained a wallet. Okinawa prefectural police said Ballard, who was stationed at Futenma Air Station, was arrested on suspicion of strangling her. Japanese media, citing investigative sources, reported that Ballard initially denied the allegations but later made statements suggesting some involvement. The case has renewed controversy over the U.S. military presence on Okinawa; Japan’s premier condemned the alleged killing as a “heinous crime.”
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Reporting
- Türkiye Today — Japan indicts US Marine for murder of woman in Okinawa, sparking outrage - Türkiye Today
- CBS News — U.S. Marine indicted on murder charge over woman's killing in Japan - CBS News
- United Press International — U.S. Marine indicted on charges in killing of Okinawan woman - UPI.com
- CNN — US Marine Devin Jacob Ballard indicted over alleged murder of woman in Okinawa | CNN
- galvnews.com (with Reuters) — Japan indicts US Marine over Okinawa killing, media say
- asahi.com — U.S. Marine, seen drinking before woman killed, indicted in Naha | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
Verifier’s note
Türkiye Today, CBS News, Galveston County Daily News, UPI, CNN, and The Asahi Shimbun all report that Japanese prosecutors indicted a U.S. Marine over the killing of a woman in Okinawa, consistent with the proposed event and its timing. UPI cites a copy of the indictment, and The Asahi Shimbun reports the indictment directly; the other results are derivative or relay reporting.