Marine: Confession To Rape Was Coerced -- Private Denies Raping Japanese Schoolgirl

NAHA, Japan - One of three American servicemen accused of abducting and raping a 12-year-old Japanese schoolgirl testified today that U.S. military investigators coerced him into confessing to a rape he did not commit.

Marine Pfc. Rodrico Harp, 21, of Griffin, Ga., has acknowledged he helped to plot the Sept. 4 rape and abduct the girl but has denied participating in the actual rape.

In testimony at Naha District Court today, Harp said Naval Criminal Investigative Services police, who originally took custody of the three, woke him up at 4 a.m. on Sept. 6 and began taking his statement.

"When I told them what did happen, they pressured me to go in another direction," he said.

Harp said investigators told him to say what the "Japanese would like to hear" - namely, that he raped the girl. He said they refused to believe his assertions that he did not.

The attack has caused a furor in Japan, touching off huge protests against the heavy U.S. military presence on the small southern Japan island and damaging support for the U.S.-Japan security alliance.

At the trial's opening session on Nov. 7, Navy Seaman Marcus Gill, 22, of Woodville, Texas, pleaded guilty to raping the girl. Harp and Marine Pfc. Kendrick Ledet, 20, of Waycross, Ga., acknowledged they helped plan and carry out the attack.

The prosecution said the three servicemen planned the event hours ahead of time and chose the victim at random. The prosecution said the girl was overpowered on a deserted street, bundled into a van and taken to an isolated beach where she was punched and raped.

Ledet and Harp admitted conspiring with Gill in the crime but denied raping the girl.

Harp's wife pleaded for forgiveness on his behalf in court today. "I'm very sorry," Denitrease Harp said in a low voice. "I'd like to apologize to the Japanese girl, to her mother and father, to the people of Japan and the United States."

Mrs. Harp said she still loved her husband and that he "adored" their two children. "He's the most intelligent human being and was gentle," she said.

Harp dropped his head and buried his face in his hands, sobbing, as his wife testified.

If convicted, the three could face a maximum life sentence, although a much lighter sentence is more likely.

The trial's next hearing before three judges - Japan has no jury system - was set for Dec. 11, when the men may be sentenced after the prosecution makes final presentations.