crime

Man accused of killing 19 disabled people disrupts trial

32 Comments
By Kiyoshi Takenaka

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32 Comments
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Is he dead, then?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

His lawyers are pushing the “insane” and “under the influence of marijuana” angle, but he is denying both.

”I am not insane, I did what needed to be done to improve society and eliminate individuals who consume resources and contribute nothing.”

”I have used marijuana in the past, but it made me lethargic and inactive. I can confirm that my use of Marijuana has nothing to do with my actions.”

12 ( +12 / -0 )

This guy seems to be influenced by Nazi eugenics “master race” programs. In his own words; “As a representative of justice and as a superior individual I need to be physically fit and attractive. That is why I practice martial arts and had cosmetic surgery.”

4 ( +5 / -1 )

He needs to be put down, he’s an animal no better than a rabid dog.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Once resumed, without Uematsu in attendance, one of his lawyers said his abuse of marijuana led to mental illness, adding: "This has turned him into a different person. As a result, this incident took place."

Oh, please spare us. Yes, there horrible drugs out there, but that particular one, which most of the people my age have dabbled with at one time? Pleeeze!

5 ( +6 / -1 )

So, just put him in a straight-jacket and lock him up in a mental institution, guaranteeing him the kind of care he gave to others under his charge in the care home.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Smith, what pray tell is a "straight-jacket"? And do you still believe in the efficacy of frontal lobotomy (psychosurgery: leucotomy)?

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Once resumed, without Uematsu in attendance, one of his lawyers said his abuse of marijuana led to mental illness, adding: "This has turned him into a different person. As a result, this incident took place."

Ah, that old chestnut. Smells like "reefer madness" to me.

He needs to be put down, he’s an animal no better than a rabid dog.

Again with the bloodlust?

The irony is, this killer saw his victims as less than human. It's precisely this likening people to animals that leads people to murder and call for others to be killed.

Disgusting. All of it.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Whichever personality disorder came out at the time and today should be hanged anyway. That will end his own disability issues. IMO he is just an actor and faking to garner sympathy.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Yes, apparently marijuana can turn people into psychotic killers.

For pity sake.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Whichever personality disorder came out at the time and today should be hanged anyway.

Just because they execute mentally ill people in your country doesn't mean it should happen here.

The death penalty is barbaric and Japan should not be resorting to it. The man needs serious help. That doesn't mean I condone what he did.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Yes, apparently marijuana can turn people into psychotic killers.

Not healthy individuals, but some studies show that marijuana use may exacerbate existing conditions like paranoid schizophrenia. Although this individual “only” had narcissistic personality disorder. He mentioned in an interview with a journalist that marijuana made him lethargic and reduced his desire to carry out his “mission.” So he only used it occasionally. So in this case, marijuana use could have actually prevented this crime from happening.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

This man needs to be put away for life.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

They have been showing footage of him sandwiched by police and grinning in the back of the cop car.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Marijuana leading to psychotic behavior? Please...

Do these people not know that it’s used for medical treatment in numerous places around the world?

The worst side effects from what I hear are becoming temporarily dumb, lazy, and hungry...very hungry.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

How is it that a homicidal maniac has been able to work with vulnerable people like this?. Surely his Lawyers are clutching at straws going the old "It's not his fault" caper.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

He stabbed and killed 19 people. Of course he's insane. What difference does that make?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

How is it that a homicidal maniac has been able to work with vulnerable people like this?.

I presume you're referring to the mentally ill killer, as opposed to the people calling for him to be blown up and such?

The blame is probably down to the employment agencies and mental health services for letting him slip through the cracks.

Surely his Lawyers are clutching at straws going the old "It's not his fault" caper.

I imagine they are. But we don't know the full story, as ever. He may well have diminished responsibility as well as other issues.

This is why he needs care and to be studied, rather than killed, so we can ensure such horrific events never occur again.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

I have no doubt this animal will be hung from his neck. And Japan will be a better place for it, no tears will be shed when it happens.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

The death penalty is barbaric and Japan should not be resorting to it. The man needs serious help. That doesn't mean I condone what he did.

Groovy, now go preach to the 19 families of the murdered and see what they think. Since you have no connection with anyone in the case, you will have a comfortable sleep tonight while the families have to live with the murderer still alive showing zero remorse for anything and laughing at the whole thing.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

I have no doubt this animal will be hung from his neck. 

Mentally ill people are not animals. When you dehumanize people, you are continuing a cycle of hatred that this young man bought into.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Groovy, now go preach to the 19 families of the murdered and see what they think. Since you have no connection with anyone in the case, you will have a comfortable sleep tonight while the families have to live with the murderer still alive showing zero remorse for anything and laughing at the whole thing.

You have no idea of what has occurred to me, my family or friends. I suggest a bit of compassion. The killer is a victim as well.

Please don't spread the barbarism of the death penalty, enough people have died in this awful case.

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

The violence also sparked debate about the need for change in a society where people with disabilities can still suffer stigma and shame, a situation highlighted by the fact that the families of most of those killed have not revealed their names.

Something to be ashamed of

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Once resumed, without Uematsu in attendance, one of his lawyers said his abuse of marijuana led to mental illness, adding: "This has turned him into a different person. As a result, this incident took place."

i’m not supporting the defendant or the use of marijuana, but this sounds like total BS about marijuana leading to mental illness. It’s more likely this is just being used as a reason to keep it illegal in Japan. Propaganda

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Once resumed, without Uematsu in attendance, one of his lawyers said his abuse of marijuana led to mental illness, adding: "This has turned him into a different person. As a result, this incident took place."

Oh, that deadly weed taking control of people and turning them into homicidal maniacs again. Again? I can't ever recall hearing of pot being blamed for any mass-murder anywhere in the world in the last 50 years. Do they have any scientific evidence to back up this ridiculous claim? Or, is this based on a Japanese urban myth?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

"Mr Uematsu had a psychiatric disability and, as a result, he was not mentally competent," said the lawyer.

But he was competent enough to plan and carry out the murder of 19 people. This defense is so overused everywhere. While there are many cases where capitol punishment may not be appropriate, this isn't one of them.

one of his lawyers said his abuse of marijuana led to mental illness, adding: "This has turned him into a different person. As a result, this incident took place."

ROTFLMAO! Nice try though.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

if not executed, i think they should put him to work in labour in service to disabled people for the remaining amount of his life somehow. in a way were he not not a physical threat to the disabled people of course. i think a lot of people who did horrific things of the such should be put in such positions. death is to easy of an escape for them.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Marijuana can lead to mental health problems, especially but not exclusively through going on to take drugs classified as "hard". Psychiatric institutions, forensic and others, around the world have many residents who are testimony to that. This poses a problem for legislators when such people commit crimes because of the question of culpability. Normally no one makes a drug addict, or anyone else come to that, to take drugs, so if one does and commits homicide because of thoughts that are indicative of a mental health problem, what is an appropriate judicial response? In future the problem could be compounded if genetic markers for any psychiatric conditions are confirmed; can these people be blamed at all?

As a retired disability worker, I can understand how someone who would rather be doing something else could harbour homicidal thoughts, but in this case, because of his clearly deviant and homicidal beliefs, the defence's argument about marijuana or mental illness should carry no weight at all: he deliberately stabbed all these patients, it's murder, and if Japan wants to hang him, that would be quite appropriate in my opinion.
0 ( +0 / -0 )

The only think to much Marijuana would have made him do would be to fall asleep in a corner after raiding their kitchen due to a bad case of the "munchies"! He is just an evil person.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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