An Okinawa court Thursday rejected appeals from two U.S. Marines seeking lighter sentences for the abduction and rape of a 12-year-old Japanese schoolgirl.
The Fukuoka High Court upheld the lower court sentences of seven years for Marine Pfc. Rodrico Harp and 61/2 years for Marine Pfc. Kendrick Ledet.A third serviceman convicted in the case, Navy Seaman Marcus Gill, 23, of Woodville, Texas, did not appeal his 7-year sentence. Harp is from Griffin, Ga., Ledet from Waycross, Ga.
Judge Norikazu Iwatani called the rape "a carefully planned crime" and denied the lighter sentences despite statements from the men saying they felt remorse.
The ruling comes amid growing pressure for a reduction in Okinawa's heavy burden of housing U.S. military bases and personnel.
Meanwhile, a Japanese official said Thursday that Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto will hold talks with President Clinton in New York Sept. 24, when they are both at the United Nations to address the General Assembly.