Accused U.S. Army deserter Charles Jenkins met Monday with a U.S. military lawyer at a Tokyo hospital to discuss final arrangements for a possible plea bargain to settle his legal status, according to Japanese government sources.
Jenkins, 64, apparently spoke with defense counsel Capt. James Culp about his intent to seek a dishonorable discharge to avoid imprisonment by the military, the sources said.
Culp went to the hospital where Jenkins is staying shortly after 6 p.m., the sources said. Culp arrived Monday in Japan from South Korea, where he is stationed.
It is believed that no other officials from the Japanese or U.S. government were present at the meeting.
Diplomatic sources said earlier that Jenkins has told Japanese officials he wants to avoid being taken into custody by the U.S. military. The U.S. Army sergeant is charged with desertion, aiding the enemy, encouraging disloyalty and soliciting other personnel to desert.
He is married to repatriated abductee Hitomi Soga, 45.
If arrangements for a plea bargain are prolonged, Culp might meet with Jenkins for a few days, the sources said.
The two met for four days during Culp's previous visit in early August, in which the lawyer explained to Jenkins about plea-bargain procedures and other issues. Jenkins has voiced willingness to voluntarily appear before the U.S. Army at its Japan headquarters at Camp Zama in Kanagawa Prefecture.