Navy soldier jailed by Japan released after nearly 18 months

[mystery-ak]

Navy soldier jailed by Japan released after nearly 18 months
January 12, 2024 | Mary Lou Masters
A Navy soldier who was imprisoned by Japan after being involved in a fatal car accident has been released after nearly 18 months.

While serving at the Japanese naval base in 2021, Lt. Ridge Alkonis fell asleep at the wheel of a vehicle that hit three pedestrians, two of whom died. After receiving what some viewed to be a harsh punishment by Japanese officials, Alkonis was released from the U.S. patrol commission Friday morning, reuniting with his wife and three children in California, according to CNN’s Jake Tapper.

“This morning, after 537 days of unnecessary detention, the U.S. Parole Commission ordered Lt. Ridge Alkonis’ immediate release,” the Alkonis family said in a statement, according to Tapper. “He is now back home with his family, where he belongs. We will have more to say in time, but for now, we are focused on welcoming Ridge home and respectfully ask for privacy.”

Alkonis was transferred from Japan’s custody to the U.S. in mid-December, and had been serving in federal prison in Los Angeles, California, according to CNN. The soldier was granted full parole by the U.S. on Friday morning, with no supervision upon his release.

https://twitter.com/jaketapper/status/1745920605612921342

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https://www.bizpacreview.com/2024/01/12/navy-soldier-jailed-by-japan-released-after-nearly-18-months-1427219/

[catfish1957]

I am really ambivalent on this one.  I have read that sleepy drivers are as dangerous as drunk ones. 

On a legal basis, 18 months seems harsh.  But OTOH, if the average driver knows that fatigue driving has consequences, it might make people think twice about taking the risks.

I support Japan on this one.  It's their rules, they see driving tired as a serious  impairment ....   Abide by those rules, and I hope our militar trains and alerts the rest of our troops to those risks.

[sneakypete]

@mystery-ak

I have to question the report of any reporter that starts with "Navy soldier"

Ain't  no such critter.

[mystery-ak]

@mystery-ak

I have to question the report of any reporter that starts with "Navy soldier"

Ain't  no such critter.

LMAO....I've been waiting to see if anyone caught that...

[catfish1957]

LMAO....I've been waiting to see if anyone caught that...

Yeah thanks.   Didn't notice.  Any time you see these oxymoronic titles and by-lines, it's usually "American Girl" like click bait. CNN Jake Crapper incuded.

[DB]

Two people are dead due to his choices. Their families are forever severely damaged. I hardly find 18 months extreme.

[catfish1957]

Two people are dead due to his choices. Their families are forever severely damaged. I hardly find 18 months extreme.

Somewhat see your point, but do you think everyone who was at fault for an auto accident fatality should be doing 18 months or more?

[DB]

Somewhat see your point, but do you think everyone who was at fault for an auto accident fatality should be doing 18 months or more?

It depends on the circumstances. This was less "accident" than choices made.