Asia-Pacific

US marine gets 40 years for Philippines rape

(AFP)
Updated: 2006-12-04 15:41

MANILA - The Philippines has sentenced a US marine to 40 years in jail for the rape of a young woman that a court here described as "chilling, naked sadism."

US Marines accused of raping a young woman, Daniel Smith (2nd R) followed by Chad Carpentier,Dominic Duplantis and Keith Silkwood walk to a court in Manila.[AFP]

Lance Corporal Daniel Smith showed no emotion as police led him away to his fate, while the victim burst into tears and her supporters cheered and shouted: "Jail the Americans!" Three other US marines were acquitted.

Suzette Nicolas, 22, was raped in the back of a rented van after a night out at the former US naval base of Subic Bay in November last year. The case unleashed a wave of anti-American protests and demonstrations.

"I felt sad that the three were acquitted but also happy that the other was convicted," Nicolas said on local television after the verdict was announced in a packed Manila courtroom.

The court ruled that the charges against three defendants, Lance Corporals Keith Silkwood and Dominic Duplantis and Staff Sergeant Chad Carpentier, had not been proven.