As deadline approaches, Sagamihara killer re-states that he will not appeal death sentence

Written with extracts from The Asahi

March 25th 2020

YOKOHAMA – On March 24, the man convicted of killing 19 disabled residents and injuring dozens more restated his intention to not appeal his death sentence.

Satoshi Uematsu, aged 30, was found guilty on March 16 and sentenced to death. The deadline to appeal the sentence is March 30.

Speaking to The Asahi Shimbun on March 24 at a detention center in Yokohama, Uematsu restated to his intention to not pursue the case further even if his lawyers filed an appeal saying:

“I had expected to be given the death sentence, but I’m not satisfied with the contents of the trial because it proceeded on the assumption that people with disabilities have human rights.”

When asked about the trial, he said:

“It was solemn. I’m grateful to everyone who spent time on the trial.”

When asked if he wanted to live he quickly responded by saying “I’d love to.”