Migration News
Hadnott timeline: Four months of uneasiness
Stars and Stripes
May 18, 2008
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — The arrest of Marine Staff Sgt. Tyrone L. Hadnott, 38, for allegedly raping a 14-year-old Okinawa girl in February attracted international attention and sparked protests at area bases and calls for the U.S. to keepa tighter rein on the off-base behavior of servicemembers.
Here’s a timeline of the events leading up to Friday’s court-martial:
Feb. 11: Okinawa police arrest Hadnott on suspicion of raping a 14-year-old girl he picked up on a motorcycle outside an ice cream parlor in Okinawa City the night before. After days of questioning, Okinawa police say he admits that he kissed and pressed up against the girl, but denies raping her.
Feb. 11: Lt. Gen, Bruce Wright, commander of U.S. Forces Japan, says he is monitoring the situation closely. Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima and Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura lodge protests.
Feb. 12: Okinawa police recommend a charge of rape to the Okinawa Public Prosecutors Office. Hundreds of Okinawans stage protests at the headquarters gate to Camp Foster as more Okinawa officials file official protests. Tokyo Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba expresses concern the alleged rape could affect the planned realignment of U.S. troops in Japan.
Feb. 13: Wright, U.S. Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer and Lt. Gen. Richard Zilmer, commander of all Marines in Japan, meet with Nakaima in his Naha office and express their concern. They promise steps will be taken to prevent future incidents. Later, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice also expresses her regrets to Japanese officials.
Feb. 13: Zilmer orders a two-day stand-down for all Marines in Japan for "ethics and leadership" training.
Feb. 14: The Okinawa Prefectural Assembly issues a resolution that calls the incident a "malicious crime" and demands apologies and compensation to be paid to the alleged victim.
Feb. 17: An Army sergeant is held by military police on suspicion he raped a 21-year-old Philippine woman in an Okinawa City hotel.
Feb. 20: All U.S. personnel on Okinawa and at Marine bases in mainland Japan under the Status of Forces Agreement are restricted to their bases or off-base homes. The restriction follows several alcohol-related incidents involving Marines on Okinawa over the Presidents Day weekend. Wright calls for a "Day of Reflection" for all troops in Japan and forms a Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Task Force.
Feb. 28: Japanese police release Hadnott to military custody after Japanese prosecutors decide not to seek an indictment. The alleged victim dropped the criminal complaint. Chief prosecutor Yaichiro Yamashiki tells reporters that the girl said she "wanted to be left alone." The Marines say Hadnott could face charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
March 3: Zilmer lifts the restriction to base and places a 10 p.m.-to-5 a.m. curfew on all active-duty servicemembers on Okinawa and at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and Camp Fuji. Zilmer’s order also prohibits the affected servicemembers from consuming alcohol off base.
March 13: The governments of communities hosting U.S. bases in Japan petition the national government to revise the SOFA. Japan’s major opposition party calls for the registration of all SOFA personnel who live off-base.
April 4: Curfew for servicemembers on Okinawa and Marine bases in mainland Japan is eased to midnight to 5 a.m. Consumption of alcohol outside the bases is still banned.
April 14: Zilmer lifts off-base alcohol ban for active-duty servicemembers. Cinderella Liberty policy remains in effect.
April 21: Maj. Gen. Robert B. Neller refers court-martial charges against Hadnott, who waived his right to a preliminary hearing.
— David Allen
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