Experiences of the Sagamihara Victims heard in Court

Written with extracts from NHK

January 16th 2020

The the trial of a man accused of killing 19 people and injuring others at a care home in Sagamihara City on July 26th 2016 continued on January 16th at in the Yokohama District Court.

On the 16th, the fourth day of hearings was held at the Yokohama District Court. Prosecutors read the statements of the bereaved families of all 19 victims in the court.

One family member of a victim said to the defendant, “Where was the distorted idea born, where was the will and feelings of entering the facility? I cannot forgive the defendant who is satisfied with doing this for a lifetime. I just want my son back…”

Another said: “Delivering one defendant to death does not help. We just hope there will be no discrimination against disabled people.”

The trial began on January 8th and is set to conclude on March 16th