[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

NOTE-----My postings to this list will resume on Monday, Oct. 22




Oct. 19


JAPAN:

Death penalty sought again in murder-rape case


Prosecutors during their closing argument at the Hiroshima High Court on
Thursday again sought the death penalty for a 26-year-old former company
employee charged with raping and killing a woman and strangling her baby
in Hikari, Yamaguchi Prefecture, in 1999.

The murder case in which the former company employee stands accused of
strangling 23-year-old Yayoi Motomura with his hands and raping her, and
also killing her 11-month-old daughter, Yuka, in their home was returned
to the high court by the Supreme Court to review its previous ruling of
life imprisonment.

The trial will conclude after the defense counsel's final argument,
scheduled on Dec. 4. The ruling is expected next spring.

During the trial, the defendant, whose name is being withheld because he
was 18 at the time of the crime, reversed his earlier admission of
intending to rape and murder the woman.

However, the prosecution countered by saying, "The defendant is trying to
escape the death penalty by distorting the truth."

The prosecution also said: "He has never shown remorse for his actions,
but has kept making excuses, which has caused more pain and suffering for
the bereaved family. The only fitting punishment for him is the death
penalty."

Regarding the assertion that he raped the woman as part of a "resurrection
ceremony," the prosecution said the claim was unscientific and
unbelievable.

The prosecution also claimed that he has reflected on his actions only
superficially and has repeated the irrational explanation, insulting the
bereaved family who sincerely hope to learn the truth.

During an hourlong argument by the prosecution, the defendant, who was
dressed in a dark blue jacket and beige pants, looked straight at the
judge.

The victim's husband, Hiroshi Motomura, 31, sometimes closed his eyes as
he listened to the prosecution and held a portrait of his wife and
daughter.

(source: The Yomiuri Shimbun)