Japan sentences 70-year-old to death by hanging

[FriskyCanuck]

Via the Japan Times:
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2...rial-killer-gets-death-sentence/#.WgIVeHZryUk

KYOTO – A serial killer dubbed the "black widow" was handed a death sentence Tuesday over the murders of her husband and two common-law partners, as well as the attempted murder of an acquaintance, between 2007 and 2013.

The ruling by the Kyoto District Court came despite a not guilty plea by the defense counsel of Chisako Kakehi, 70, citing a lack of physical evidence. The defense had also argued that Kakehi could not be held responsible as she had developed symptoms of early-onset dementia at the time of the murders.

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"It was a heinous crime driven by greed for money. The death sentence cannot be avoided even after fully taking into account dementia and other factors," presiding Judge Ayako Nakagawa said in the ruling.

According to the ruling, Kakehi murdered her 75-year-old husband, Isao, common-law partners Masanori Honda, 71, and Minoru Hioki, 75, and tried to kill acquaintance Toshiaki Suehiro, 79, by having them drink cyanide.

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First diagnosed with mild dementia in 2016, Kakehi said she had trouble remembering events shortly after her arrest. The doctor who made the diagnosis, however, said Kekehi could be held legally responsible for any crimes committed during that time.

The defense also claimed that there was a possibility some of the victims had died from disease or by different drugs or poisons, noting that some of the victims had not undergone legal autopsies.

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The trial was held under the nation's lay judge system, which involves citizen judges. Having opened in June, it was the second-longest of its kind, with 135 days spent examining the case.

More than 500 people lined up in front of the courthouse to get a ticket to observe the hearing.

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[Deleted member 2533]

"noting that some of the victims had not undergone legal autopsies"

Seems kinda lax for a capital offense.

 

[Steeped in a Sea of Games]

Reminds me of this article about the execution chambers: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/28/world/asia/28tokyo.html

99% conviction rate in Japan supposedly due to forced confessions.

 

[shnurgleton]

I played enough Persona 5 to know that Japan's criminal justice system is dubious at best

It seems remarkably cruel to hang an old woman who doesn't even understand what is going on

 

[jeffrockz312]

This is just sad.

 

[KimonoNoNo]

I didn't even know Japan still had the death sentence.

 

[KorrZ]

The most surprising thing to me about this article is that apparently Japan still executes all of their death row inmates by hanging? I mean I've heard horror stories about the lethal injections in the US but hanging seems particularly barbaric?

 

[Westbahnhof]

I didn't even know Japan still had the death sentence.

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Yeah, it's sad for such a supposedly modern country.

 

[wig split]

This is just sad.

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for the victims and their families

 

[The Silver]

what happened to the guillotine

 

[HStallion]

what happened to the guillotine

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That's the specialty of the French.

 

[Hollywood Duo]

I'm not for capital punishment but don't expect me to feel bad for a multiple homicide criminal.

 

[Deleted member 11501]

At her age, just throw her in jail, she will die of old age and live the rest of her life behind 4 walls. Death is the easy way out if you ask me

 

[Deleted member 29660]

Wow. That's not the sort of thing you expect to hear.

 

[Westbahnhof]

for the victims and their families

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I remember this one case where the families didn't want the person to be executed.
There was also public doubt about the supposed criminal, as the confession was the only "proof" they had.

The death penalty is shit and doesn't help anyone.

 

[Goldenroad]

At her age, just throw her in jail, she will die of old age and live the rest of her life behind 4 walls. Death is the easy way out if you ask me

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I'd say, figure out which she would prefer, and do the opposite.

 

[Vilam]

I wasn't aware that Japan had the death penalty. Sounds like she's getting a just sentence for the harm she caused.

 

[Cbrun44]

Reminds me of this article about the execution chambers: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/28/world/asia/28tokyo.html

99% conviction rate in Japan supposedly due to forced confessions.

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That room is nightmare fuel. Damn creepy.

 

[lightchris]

I'd say, figure out which she would prefer, and do the opposite.

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So basically, as much revenge as possible? That's just barbaric..

I am aware that this is nothing new, but it's sad to see that Japan still does this.

 

[LuckyChamCham]

Yoooooo, that's fucked up. :(

 

[Salty Rice]

Wow didnt know death penalty by hanging still exists in a advanced country.

While i feel no sympathy for the person, such barbaric ways as a death sentence shouldnt exist anymore.

 

[Starviper]

Wow didnt know death penalty by hanging still exists in a advanced country.

While i feel no sympathy for the person, such barbaric ways as a death sentence shouldnt exist anymore.

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I think the opposite - look at how the US has handled its death sentencing. Our system is so messed up that you get sentenced to death and it ends up taking years and years, and on top of that the lethal injection they try to use is not easily acquirable (and expensive). Death by hanging is simple, maybe barbaric, but it will certainly do the deed without further complication.

 

[BitByDeath]

At her age, just throw her in jail, she will die of old age and live the rest of her life behind 4 walls. Death is the easy way out if you ask me

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Give her a labotomy and turn her into a drooling potato. Bam, no death and less trouble.

 

[Linkura]

At her age, just throw her in jail, she will die of old age and live the rest of her life behind 4 walls. Death is the easy way out if you ask me

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Not really supporting the death penalty one way or the other, but she's a Japanese woman. She could still be living another 30+ years easily.