Marine claims he torched
Okinawa bars to ease his pain
Stars and Stripes
NAHA — A U.S. Marine said Tuesday that he torched a row of small, wooden bars on
Okinawa in January because it eased his pain.
During two hours of questioning in Naha District Court, Lance Cpl. Kurt Billie, 23,
said a history of family problems weighed heavily on his mind when he got drunk and set
fire to the establishments the nights of Jan. 15 and 20.
Under questioning by his attorney, Billie also claimed he hears "voices" in
his head. One voice he calls "Michael" convinced him to help put out the first
fire he started on Jan. 15.
Billie apologized for setting the fires that caused about $70,000 damage, but said he
could not prevent himself from lighting the blazes. "I was just too drunk," he
said.
A psychiatric report will be presented to the three-judge panel before June 21. Final
arguments will be presented at that time.
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