Judge rejects bail for Air Force staff sergeant accused of rape in Okinawa
By Mark Oliva, Okinawa
bureau
NAHA — A Naha District Court judge has rejected bail for an Air
Force staff sergeant accused of rape, keeping him in custody of Okinawan authorities.
Judge Midori Takamatsu denied the motion Wednesday for Air Force
Staff Sgt. Timothy B. Woodland’s bail on grounds Woodland might try to destroy
evidence.
“The dismissal was well expected because chances are usually
very low for a court to grant bail,” said Tsuyoshi Arakaki, Woodland’s defense
attorney.
Woodland was indicted earlier this month on charges of raping a
24-year-old Okinawan woman June 29 in a parking lot. Woodland has denied the charge,
saying the two had consensual sex.
Takamatsu also denied the bail request on the category of crime and
the sentence Woodland could face. According to Japanese law, Woodland cannot be released
on bail because he is charged with rape, and if convicted, could face a prison sentence
from two to 20 years. Arakaki said a sentence of 15 years is common in rape convictions.
Japanese law precludes bail be granted in cases carrying sentences of more than one year.
The decision comes despite the defense’s request that Woodland
be released to their custody in the Joint Forces Brig on Camp Hansen, instead of custody
of the 353rd Special Operations Group on Kadena Air Base, Woodland’s parent command.
Woodland’s defense attorney petitioned the court for his release
to military custody on Tuesday, but was forced to resubmit the request Wednesday so the
paperwork could be translated from English to Japanese.
Arakaki and defense attorney Annette Eddie-Callagain were scheduled
to meet Thursday morning to discuss appealing the judge’s bail denial.
Woodland’s defense attorneys also are considering requesting
Woodland be transferred from the Naha Detention Center where he is being held to a
temporary jail facility at the Okinawa City police station.
Woodland complained about the conditions at the detention center,
where there is no air conditioning and the heat is unbearable, according to
Eddie-Callagain.
Temperatures on Okinawa averaged 92 degrees Fahrenheit during July,
according to the 18th Weather Flight at Kadena Air Base.
But Arakaki said that petition is doubtful, as it never has been
requested before.
“There was no precedent to return the suspect to a police
detention facility,” Arakaki said.
“We will first file a request with the Naha Detention Center if
they can improve the facility condition by installing an air conditioner.”
Chiyomi Sumida contributed to this report.
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