Career
He later confessed to the crime. Reese is currently serving life in prison in Japan. Reese was stationed on the United States Ship Kitty Hawk (CV-63).
On January 3, 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.
Some accounts claim that Reese was apprehended by United States Navy sentries at the main gate to Yokosuka Naval Base, who became suspicious when they noticed Reese"s bloodstained clothes. Other accounts state that he was actually caught aboard the United States Ship KITTY HAWK CV-63 as he attempted to return to work. He would later claim that he had no idea why he killed her.
When Reese was indicted and subsequently convicted after making a full confession there were many calls for a Status of Forces Agreement revision.
Severe liberty restrictions were also enacted by the United States Navy upon its sailors stationed in the region. 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).
