Prosecutors Demand Death Penalty in Toyama Double Murder Retrial
A former Self-Defense Forces member faces a retrial for the 2018 Toyama killings.
1Retrial Prosecution Demand
Public prosecutors have officially demanded the death penalty for 30-year-old Keita Shimazu. The defendant is accused of killing a 46-year-old police officer and a 68-year-old school security guard in Toyama on June 26, 2018. The current legal proceedings follow a Supreme Court decision to send the case back for reconsideration.
2Legal Procedural History
Shimazu was originally sentenced to life imprisonment in 2021 for murder and theft. The Nagoya High Court later overturned this ruling, suggesting the crime of robbery-murder should be established. After the Supreme Court upheld this judgment in 2024, the case returned to the Toyama District Court for a new trial.
3Prosecution Argument Strategy
Prosecutors argue that Shimazu acted rationally according to a premeditated plan to target police officers. They contend his autism spectrum disorder had only a limited impact on his actions. The state describes his behavior as an indiscriminate, selfish attempt to vent personal frustrations by attacking unrelated third parties with lethal force.
4Defense Legal Position
The defense team disputes the classification of the incident as robbery-murder. They argue that Shimazu was significantly influenced by his autism spectrum disorder during the events. According to the defense, the defendant perceived the violent attacks as his only available option, challenging the prosecution's claim of a cold, calculated criminal intent.
5Victim Impact Statements
Bereaved family members have publicly demanded the death penalty during recent hearings. The widow of security guard Shinichi Nakamura expressed that the crimes are unforgivable and requested a sincere apology from the defendant. These testimonies highlight the emotional weight of the proceedings as the court prepares to finalize its verdict.
6Specific Criminal Charges
The indictment details that Shimazu fatally stabbed police officer Kenichi Inaizumi at a police box to steal his service pistol. Subsequently, he shot and killed Shinichi Nakamura near an elementary school. These specific acts form the basis of the robbery-murder charges currently being debated in the ongoing lay-judge trial process.
7Judicial Timeline Ahead
The current trial is scheduled to conclude on Monday, following the recent prosecution demand. The Toyama District Court has set the final ruling date for December 8. This decision will determine whether the legal criteria for robbery-murder are met and if the death penalty is an appropriate sentence for the defendant.
8Context of Capital Punishment
The case underscores the complexities of Japanese judicial processes regarding mental health and criminal responsibility. By re-evaluating the robbery-murder charge, the court is addressing the legal threshold for capital punishment in cases involving premeditated violence. The final ruling will clarify how the judiciary balances psychiatric conditions against extreme, indiscriminate criminal acts.
Original article: The Japan Times — Prosecutors Demand Death Penalty in Toyama Double Murder Retrial