Tokyo District Court Tachikawa Branch
A jury trial has been held for a former juvenile (21) who is accused of murder and attempted murder for killing and injuring a female sex shop employee (then (31)) at a hotel in Tachikawa City, Tokyo in June 2021. The first trial was held on the 7th at the Tokyo District Court’s Tachikawa Branch, with Presiding Judge Kuara Arai. The former boy’s defense argued that he was not guilty due to insanity and lack of criminal responsibility.
Prosecutors pointed out in their opening statement that, “After killing the woman he was in love with, he considered committing suicide.” It pointed out that the defendant’s autism spectrum disorder had limited effects and he was fully responsible.
On the other hand, the defense emphasized, “The defendant’s autism spectrum disorder overwhelmingly influenced his crime.He has no responsibility and is innocent.” He also indicated that he would contest his ability to litigate.
The former juvenile refused to answer whether he approved or disapproved of the charges and repeatedly made erratic statements, so the presiding judge ordered him to leave the court in the middle of the prosecution’s opening statement.
According to the indictment, on June 1, 2021, the former boy, who was 19 years old at the time, stabbed a woman multiple times in the stomach and other areas with a kitchen knife in a hotel room in Akebono-cho, Tachikawa City, killing her, and then stabbed a man, a male sex shop employee, in the hallway. He is said to have stabbed himself in the stomach, causing injuries that took three months to fully recover. (Natsuko Konno)
2023-11-07 12:03:31
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