Society

Kyoto Animation Arsonist Shinji Aoba Sentenced to Death

KYOTO, Jan 25 (News On Japan) - In the trial of the Kyoto Animation arson murder case, which resulted in 36 deaths, the Kyoto District Court pronounced a death sentence on Thursday afternoon for the defendant, Shinji Aoba, aged 45.

Aoba was charged with setting fire to the Kyoto Animation studio in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City, in July 2019, resulting in the murder of 36 employees and causing injuries to 32 others.

During the trial on January 25th, the court unusually read the reasons for the judgment before announcing the verdict, eventually declaring the death penalty as sought by the prosecution.

The main point of contention in the trial was whether Aoba possessed criminal responsibility at the time of the crime.

The presiding judge stated in the verdict, "At the time of the crime, the defendant was neither in a state of insanity nor diminished capacity." The judge further affirmed, "He selected the method of the crime based on his own thoughts and knowledge, with little influence from delusions."

The sentencing brings a degree of closure to one of the deadliest mass murders in Japan’s post-war history.

by Brian Dentry

Source: ANN

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