An 86-year-old man arrested on suspicion of killing his 16-year-old granddaughter in Fukui City has admitted to killing the girl but says he was drunk and lost his temper.
However, police said Susumu Tomizawa has been giving cryptic answers during questioning since his arrest on Sept 9 for fatally stabbing his granddaughter Tomomi Tomizawa who had been living with him. She died from multiple stab wounds inflicted on her upper body.
Tomizawa called the girl’s father and said she had fallen down the stairs and was unconscious. The father arrived and called police. Tomomi was taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead. At the time, Tomizawa said nothing about stabbing the girl.
Tomomi had moved in with her grandfather in July, telling a neighbor she did so because her parents “always fight.”
Prior to the murder, Tomizawa is believed to have been drinking alcohol. He was quoted by police as saying he lost his temper because his granddaughter said something harsh to him but he couldn’t remember what it was. He said he might have stabbed her on impulse but couldn’t be certain.
Police say his intoxication and mental state have placed his criminal responsibility into question.
Neighbors said that while Tomomi was living with her grandfather, there had been no sign of any friction between them whenever they were seen outside together.
Furthermore, a former co-worker of Tomomi who had a part-time job revealed that Tomizawa would occasionally pick her up by car. She would also purchase her grandfather’s favorite snacks.
The co-worker said: “Tomomi would sometimes talk about her grandfather at work. I don’t understand how this could have happened.”
© Japan Today
33 Comments
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Do the hustle
That should be part of the offense, not part of the defense.
Miki Townsend
Completely agree.
That headline! What on earth is the word 'BUT' doing there?! Deary me. There can be nothing justifiable to follow 'man admits killing 16-year-old granddaughter'! Lose those last 5 words, the implication is terrible.
Fighto!
Evil old scumbag. If not eligible to be hung, then the child killer deserves to die in a cold prison cell.
Rest in Peace to the poor girl.
FemaleTENNO
What ? is it that in Japan being drunk seems to excuse everything ? This is just plain WRONG !!
englisc aspyrgend
Fighto! No one is “eligible” to be murdered by the state. That he is a scumbag is both our opinions. Life in prison is the only justifiable sentence (where he will no doubt be loathed by all the decent honest criminals!).
Pukey2
The whole family sounds strange.
Cricky
I'm drunk now don't come near me, I have no control, especially if you are female
That a pathetic excuse but sadly one the judges accept.
AMS
Alcool is really dangerous. I’ll never drink any alcoholic drink.
Larry Photog Houser
This poor girl. Growing up ina home that was always fighting, trying to escape only to meet the root of the evil. Hope she's at peace now.
kaimycahl
I am thinking the father is protecting his son using his age and his mental state of being and under the influence as a way of getting a light sentence.
BertieWooster
So, what is he saying, "It wasn't me that killed her, it was the alcohol. The alcohol should have a life sentence, I should go free!"
Goodlucktoyou
Maybe to touch the button on the register at the combini to say you are over 20yrs, you should prove you are under 70yrs old?
Fhu
seeing How the grandfather acts, I bet you the father is the one who killed the daughter. Grandfather is covering for his son. The grandfather and granddaughter relationship seems to be good...
oldman_13
The old "I blacked out and don't remember killing him/her" excuse.
Told you all down voters this was a shady as hell living arrangement.
Chottobaka
Of course he was drunk. Such a predictable initial defense.
Yumster100
@Ah_so
The police is probably referring to his mental state "mens rea" into question based on temporary insanity or whatever equivalent in Japan. If the evaluation is proven to be true, he cannot be criminally liable for his act which he will be evaluated if the defense brings it up. Just like what strangerland says, the typical posters on here (not you) thinks that being drunk is a valid defense in the Japanese legal system because they are not educated. Some even post TIJ as if to mark their low IQ as a badge of honor, lol.
Toshihiro
saying you're drunk won't save you this time. I wonder where did that I was drunk card originated from, it seems like a standard excuse nowadays.
David Jaw Hpan
How can 86' man beat 16 year girl to death ... Can he barely move !! So sorry about girl death .
sir_bentley28
Yeah, so she fell down the stairs, but died from stab wounds? You silly sod! Of course the police would put 2 and 2 together, see the blood and figure out that people don't fall downstairs, become unconscious and die from stab wounds, you old nunce!
BurakuminDes
Old man -
One case of a grandparent killing their grandchild in an apparent fit of drunken rage, and suddenly grandchildren living with their grandparents - for whatever reason - becomes "shady"?
Get a grip old man, its one rare incident. Surely youd be safe around your grandkids?!
Ken Wyatt
Ahh, the age-old excuse...
PerformingMonkey
Out of the frying pan, into the fire.
Antiquesaving
Here is where despite loving Japan I end up calling into question the logic is uses in criminal cases.
So if he was drunk driving his car and kills someone, being drunk is not an acceptable thing to call into question his criminal responsibility but seeing he wasn't driving now it is a factor.
kurisupisu
He is ,of course criminally responsible but the police are deciding ( to choose) which offense he is to be charged with.
Mental state must be ascertained for the charge of murder to stick otherwise manslaughter would be the charge, I imagine...
james
HOW ABOUT THIS!!! Grandpa takes the wrap to keep his "son/the father" out of prison for killing her! His life is almost over, he's 86, but maybe he wanted to save his son from going to prison the rest of his life. Horrible as this scenario sounds, if true, the son/father will be on the street. Watch out for him.
Mark
So being " OLD " and drunk give you a LIC. to act violently and even kill!???
Distant Fire
Bizzaro World