NAHA, Okinawa — A Naha District public prosecutor Tuesday asked for a five-year prison sentence for a 22-year-old Air Force dependent who pleaded guilty to beating and raping a sex parlor worker last October in Okinawa City.
During final arguments in Naha District Court, prosecutor Tomoyuki Shirai demanded that Kevin Parks, son of an Air Force captain, serve time behind bars.
Defense lawyer Satoshi Kawamitsu asked for a suspended sentence, claiming his client was in a state of diminished mental capacity when the crime was committed.
The prosecution and the defense were at odds about Parks’ mental condition throughout the trial.
Parks testified in previous hearings that he heard the devil’s voice when he hit the 22-year-old Okinawan woman in the face with a beer bottle and then punched her several times before raping her.
The defense contended Parks has a bipolar mood disorder, as diagnosed by U.S. Navy psychiatrists.
That diagnosis was at odds with an evaluation by a Japanese psychiatrist at University of the Ryukyus Hospital, who said Parks was fully capable of taking responsibility for his actions.
Shirai said Parks’ claim of hearing voices was merely an attempt to evade responsibility for the crime.
"In the first place, he did not have money with him when he went to the parlor," he said.
That action indicated the defendant drove to the area known as "Hooker Hill" with the intent to attack the woman. He even carried an empty beer bottle to strike her with, Shirai said.
Kawamitsu, meanwhile, asked the court to consider Parks’ mental condition. He said Parks was also abusing an over-the-counter cough medicine, which can cause hallucinations and a sense of dissociation if abused.
In addressing the court, Parks asked Judge Hiroyuki Yoshii to sentence him immediately.
"I was wrong by taking drugs and I take responsibility for my action," he said. "But, I believe justice shall be served. I am innocent. This is all God’s will. I believe the court will suspend this case today."
Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 20.
