91-year-old sister of longest death row inmate sees hope in his acquittal

I think this woman is an inspiration. She has stood by her brother's innocence for decades and fought against an intransigent authority. She should be celebrated but that might focus minds too much on said authority.

This woman is to be admired, her resilience, fortitude. I can only hope the remaining years are kind to them both.

Iwao Hakamada, a former boxer, was acquitted in September by the Shizuoka District Court, which said police and prosecutors had collaborated to fabricate and plant evidence against him, and forced him to confess with violent, hourslong, closed interrogations.

This is deeply troubling.

I think this woman is an inspiration. She has stood by her brother's innocence for decades and fought against an intransigent authority. She should be celebrated but that might focus minds too much on said authority.

This woman is to be admired, her resilience, fortitude. I can only hope the remaining years are kind to them both.

Agree with you both. This woman is a pillar of strength and love. Her brother is an inspiration too. He fought to stay alive until he was acquitted instead of giving up and just waiting to die in prison.

Her brother's long death row confinement took a toll on his mental health

and much more. If indeed innocent, it’s an unbelievable travesty. Huge respect to the sis.

Is an investigation being held to uncover and punish those who planted evidence against him and forced him to confess? The names of the arresting officers and those who conducted these violent, hours long interrogations must be on record. These people have to be brought to justice.

These people have to be brought to justice.

I agree but chances are these crooked cops aren't around anymore since that was like 50 years ago. Their names should be released however and be shamed even in death.

She is a remarkable, brave person who never gave up the fight for her brother. She is a loving and devoted sister who won against all the odds.

BertieWooster

Is an investigation being held to uncover and punish those who planted evidence against him and forced him to confess? The names of the arresting officers and those who conducted these violent, hours long interrogations must be on record. These people have to be brought to justice.

They are the same age as him or older, so chances are those who are still alive are not in a conditition to be questions. They got away with what they did.

Even if they are alive, there's a significant gap between finding it is more likely than not that someone within the police fabricated the evidence versus to lock it down to specific perpetrator(s) and prove that beyond a reasonable doubt.