Japan death penalty case for alleged killer a first

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Boston Herald

Japan death penalty case for alleged killer a first
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Sunday, October 17, 2010 - Added 4 hours ago

TOKYO — Prosecutors in Japan may demand the death penalty for the first time in a lay judge trial, against a man who allegedly killed two women last year.

Koji Hayashi, a 42-year-old former company employee of Mihama Ward, Chiba, was arrested for allegedly killing Yoshie Suzuki, 78, and stabbing her 21-year-old granddaughter, Miho Ejiri, after breaking into their house in Minato Ward, Tokyo, on Aug. 3, 2009. Ejiri died one month later from her injuries.

Prosecutors allege Hayashi was motivated by unrequited romantic feelings for Ejiri.

Hayashi’s lay judge trial will begin Tuesday at the Tokyo District Court.

The defense has decided not to dispute the facts of the case as put forward by the prosecution, and the severity of punishment is expected to be the main issue in the trial.







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