A former civilian worker at a U.S. base accused of raping and killing a 20-year-old woman in Okinawa, in April last year, denied intent to murder at the opening of his lay judge trial.
Kenneth Franklin Shinzato, 33, did admit, however, to charges of rape resulting in death and abandoning the victim's body, at the Naha District Court on Thursday.
The murder case has sparked public anger and strengthened negative sentiment against U.S. bases in Okinawa, which hosts the bulk of U.S. military facilities in Japan and has seen a spate of crimes committed by American troops or military-linked personnel.