William Oliver Reese

Infobox Criminal
subject_name = William Oliver Reese


image_caption = Boot camp photo of Reese
date_of_birth = 1987
place_of_birth = New Jersey
charge = Murder and Robbery
penalty = life in prison
status = Yokosuka Prison
occupation = Sailor

William Oliver Reese was a US Navy airman who, on January 3rd, 2006 murdered 56 year old Japanese woman Yoshie Sato in Yokosuka, Japan. He later confessed to the crime. Reese is currently serving life in prison in Japan. Reese was stationed on the USS "Kitty Hawk" (CV-63).

Details of the crime

On January 3rd, William Oliver Reese was near the Yokosuka-Chūō train station when he accosted 56-year-old Yoshie Sato, demanding money. Reese was intoxicated at the time. At first, he asked her for directions to the nearby naval base, and after she pointed it out to him, he attempted to take her purse. When Sato began yelling for help, Reese dragged her to a nearby stairwell and proceeded to beat her for 11 minutes. Sato later died of a ruptured kidney. He then removed 15,000 yen from her purse and left the scene. Reese was apprehended by US Navy sentries at the main gate to Yokosuka Naval Base, who became suspicious when they noticed Reese's bloodstained clothes. He would later claim that he had no idea why he killed her. [http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=34957&archive=true] [http://www.nbc10.com/news/5959586/detail.html]

International repercussions

When Reese was indicted and subsequently convicted after making a full confession there were many calls for a Status of Forces Agreement revision. [http://www.politicalaffairs.net/article/articleview/2566/1/144/] Severe liberty restrictions were also enacted by the US Navy. The restrictions applied to all sailors and included such measures as curfews and detailed "liberty plans" (written statements of a sailor's exact whereabouts throughout the day). [http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=33579&archive=true] [http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=34066&archive=true]

References