Trial of ‘Sagamihara Massacre’ accused to resume on February 5th with victims’ families to planning to ask questions

By Barrier Free Japan with extracts translated from The Kanagawa Shimbun

February 2nd 2020

YOKOHAMA– The trial of a man accused of killing 19 people and injuring others at a care home in Sagamihara City on July 26th 2016, will resume on February 5th after an eight day hiatus.

Satoshi Uematsu, aged 30, has pleaded not guilty to killing 19 residents and injuring dozens more at the Tsukui Lily Garden facility for people with disabilities in Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture.

The first stage of trial was completed after the first statements and questions were made by both the defense and prosecution, and the court entered an eight-day break.

The defendant, in an interview with the Kanagawa Shimbun at the Yokohama Detention Center last month said, “I don’t think it’s the death penalty. I’m not going to be executed.”

The next stage of trial will begin on February 5th, at which the families of victims who were either killed or survived, are reportedly planning to ask the defendant questions.