Top court upholds death sentence
on man accused of killing 2
Friday, July 6, 2007 at 05:00 EDT

TOKYO — The Supreme Court upheld Thursday the death sentence for a man who shot two men dead and stole about 12 million yen from them in Mie Prefecture in 1994, in conspiracy with another man who is serving a life sentence. Justice Tatsuo Kainaka, who presided over the case at the top court's 1st petty bench, turned down an appeal from Kunihiko Hamakawa, 47, who had pleaded not guilty to murder and robbery charges.
Hamakawa, in conspiracy with Haruseki Kin, 47, shot insurance agent Yoichi Hiramatsu, then 36, and stole 10 million yen from his bank account in July 1994, according to lower court decisions. Hamakawa and Kin were also found guilty of shooting and killing trader Isao Takagi, then 63, and stealing 2.27 million yen from Takagi's bank account in November 1994. Kin was sentenced to life imprisonment. (Kyodo News)
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TOKYO, July 5 (AP) - (Kyodo)— The Supreme Court upheld Thursday the death sentence for a man who shot two men dead and stole about 12 million yen from them in Mie Prefecture in 1994, in conspiracy with another man who is serving a life sentence.

Justice Tatsuo Kainaka, who presided over the case at the top court's 1st petty bench, turned down an appeal from Kunihiko Hamakawa, 47, who had pleaded not guilty to murder and robbery charges.

Under Japan's Code of Criminal Procedure, Hamakawa can file an objection with the Supreme Court against Thursday's decision. But such an objection would be limited to technical matters such as a wording mistake, if any, in the decision. Judicial experts say the Supreme Court has rarely accepted such an objection.

Kainaka said in the ruling that the defendant has shown no remorse or repentance over the crime which the justice called "cruel and brutal." He accused Hamakawa of playing the leading role in committing the crime.
Hamakawa, in conspiracy with Haruseki Kin, 47, shot insurance agent Yoichi Hiramatsu, then 36, and stole 10 million yen from his bank account in July 1994, according to lower court decisions.

Hamakawa and Kin were also found guilty of shooting and killing trader Isao Takagi, then 63, and stealing 2.27 million yen from Takagi's bank account in November 1994.

The Tsu District Court sentenced Hamanaka to death in 2002, a decision upheld by the Nagoya High Court in 2004.

Kin was sentenced to life imprisonment at the same district court, a ruling upheld by the high court. Prosecutors seeking the death penalty filed an appeal with the top court, which was turned down in 2005.