Crime Woman gets 27 years for forcing teen girl off Hokkaido bridge

thomas

Unswerving cyclist
Admin
Joined
14 Mar 2002
Messages
21,050
Reaction score
18,903
This vicious murder has attracted widespread media attention across Japan.

The Asahikawa District Court on Monday sentenced a 23-year-old woman to 27 years in prison for killing a high school girl by forcing her from a bridge into a river in Hokkaido in 2024, in a case that has attracted widespread attention across Japan. Uchida Riko had been charged with murder, sexual assault resulting in death and unlawful confinement of the 17-year-old victim. The Asahikawa District Court handed down the same 27-year prison term sought by prosecutors.



The court described the crime as exceptionally brutal and reprehensible, saying it had trampled on the victim's personality and dignity. Presiding Judge Tanaka Yuka said a severe sentence was warranted given the immense suffering experienced by the victim. The judge also found that Uchida's conduct constituted the act of murder even if the girl had fallen by herself or by accident. During the lay judge trial, Konishi Yuka, an acquaintance of Uchida, testified that Uchida had pushed the girl from the bridge. Uchida denied doing so, claiming she had only shouted at the teenager to "fall" and "die".



Chaos broke out when the judge read out the sentence:

Just as the presiding judge at the Asahikawa District Court in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, finished reading the sentence, a man burst into the courtroom. Shouting as he moved toward the witness stand, he was quickly tackled and restrained by court staff. The judge promptly declared a recess. It was not immediately known who the man was or if he had any connection to the case.

 
The intruder, identified as Tetsushi Murayama, a 48-year-old self-employed delivery worker from Fukuoka Prefecture, was arrested. During questioning, he admitted to the charges, saying, "I was not satisfied with the sentencing request, so I entered the courtroom to protest." Following the disturbance, the judge declared a recess before returning to explain the reasoning behind the verdict.
 
I'm confused. Was the guy upset because he thought the sentence was too light or too harsh? And why was he so invested in the outcome of this particular case?
 
I'm confused. Was the guy upset because he thought the sentence was too light or too harsh? And why was he so invested in the outcome of this particular case?
Apparently he was advocating for the death penalty. I'm also wondering why he was so concerned with this case. Maybe some past trauma.
 
Back
Top Bottom