Japanese man sentenced to death for killing 19 disabled people
16 March, 2020
A Japanese man was sentenced to death on Monday (Mar 16) for killing 19 disabled people in a knife-wielding rampage in 2016.
Satoshi Uematsu, 30, admitted to stabbing to death or injuring the victims at a care centre for individuals with mental disabilities. He had once worked in the facility, positioned in Sagamihara, southwest of Tokyo.
The attack also left 26 persons injured.
His attorneys previously entered a plea of not liable, arguing the 30-year-old was suffering a "mental disorder" associated with his utilization of marijuana.
But prosecutors said Uematsu was with the capacity of taking responsibility for the attack at the Tsukui Yamayuri-en centre in Sagamihara town outside Tokyo and really should be executed for his crimes.
The rampage was "inhumane" and left "no room for leniency", prosecutors argued last month.
Uematsu reportedly said he'll not appeal whatever decision the court hands down. But he also defended himself, arguing his actions do not deserve the death penalty.
He turned himself directly into police following the assault, carrying bloodied knives.
It later emerged he had left his job at the house just months earlier and had been forcibly hospitalised after telling colleagues he designed to kill disabled people at the centre.
Uematsu have been discharged after 12 days whenever a doctor decided he had not been a threat. He previously also written a letter outlining plans to attack the home, claiming "disabled persons only create unhappiness".
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