crime

American denies intent to kill Irish woman in Tokyo hotel

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62 Comments
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why they releasing his name for!? At 19, he's a minor by Japanese law. What is the deal with the double standards??

32 ( +47 / -16 )

good point Jamie, probably why they fingerprint all foreigners but not Japanese at the airport. double standards are just part of what make Japan Inc so um... unique!?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Prosecutors allege Hinds and Blackston got the two women drunk and may have drugged them before taking them by taxi to the Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku, where they borrowed wheelchairs to get the unconscious women to their rooms

Damn!

2 ( +4 / -2 )

@Jamie Lunel

"why they releasing his name for!?"

Aren't you guys the one who always says 19 is not a minor, and their names should be release ? Besides, who cares ? The real issue is if he is a murder or not.

-10 ( +16 / -26 )

""murderer"

1 ( +8 / -7 )

they borrowed wheelchairs to get the unconscious women to their rooms.

He acknowledged he and Furlong, 21, were in a hotel and said he lightly pressed her neck while the two had sex.

This is complete disregard for another's life.

"I had no intent or reason to hurt, harm or kill her."

Your words say one thing, but your actions, another...

I hope he's convicted.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

Jamie, this is an Associated Press article; I am not sure if the Japanese government itself has released his name, but it is already well-known internationally. Also, from another article:

The 19 year old American who has been charged with the murder of 21 year old Irish student Nicola Furlong will be tried as an adult by a Tokyo court. This means that despite being recognized as a minor by Japanese law, he could face a life sentence in prison, as opposed to the maximum of five years for those under the age of 20. While Japanese laws also prevent the release of the minor’s name, international media has learned that the suspect is Richard Hinds, who has confessed to strangling Furlong in a Tokyo hotel room, but denies intending to kill her.

http://japandailypress.com/tokyo-court-rules-nicola-furlong-murder-suspect-to-be-tried-as-adult-078476

It may be that, as he is being tried as an adult, he may be identified.

13 ( +13 / -0 )

Why would you press "lightly" on someones neck anyway? Take a step back further and also ask the question why would you be having sex with a girl so intoxicated she needed a wheelchair and was therefore clearly in no state to even give consent.

Lagunas link shows a picture of a pretty young girl, with her whole life ahead of her. I feel for her poor family.

14 ( +17 / -3 )

"I had no intent or reason to hurt, harm or kill her."

my totally uneducated guess is the girls were drugged, and one of the girls who woke up while being raped started to struggle and scream, so he freaked out and choked her.

it would be important to hear from the girl that survived as to what happened that night.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Release the toxicology report. Is it suffocation or strangulation? Facts should be determined first.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Rest in peace to the poor innocent Irish lady. Sincere condolences to her family. These evil Hinds and Blackstone sound like psychopathic killers with a hatred of women. It is regrettable the Japanese prosecution is not demanding the rope for the trash.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

hmmm

He acknowledged he and Furlong, 21, were in a hotel and said he lightly pressed her neck while the two had sex.

Prosecutors say Hinds strangled Furlong with a towel and have charged him with murder.

he slightly pressed her neck, yet the prosecutors mention a towel. Someone is telling lies.

Btw @Jamie Lunel: Those are the rules in Japan, but I assume the names leaked out in the news abroad.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Do hotels usually lend wheelchairs to men staying in them to take unconscious women to their rooms? Presumably, the women were not registered guests. Japanese hotels, except for love hotels, charge per occupant. did the Keio Plaza charge for the women to stay?

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Ah, yes! It was an accidental death. She stopped breathing on purpose! Hang this murderer! Hand him!

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Release the toxicology report. Is it suffocation or strangulation? Facts should be determined first.

AP says it could be weeks before the tox report is out.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

why they releasing his name for!? At 19, he's a minor by Japanese law. What is the deal with the double standards??

The cat has been out of the bag for quite a while now. The media outside of Japan were quick to release not only the names of the accused, but they also showed photos and videos of Blackston and Hinds. This story was front page news in Ireland.

Nicola's parents Andrew and Angie and her sister Andrea are staying in Tokyo during the trial, so you can expect more international coverage of the trial, especially from the Irish media.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Don't know why you would be pressing on her neck unless you were holding her down against her will. I see license plates in this guy's immediate and long-term future.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

why they releasing his name for!? At 19, he's a minor by Japanese law. What is the deal with the double standards??

welcome to japan?

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

Both the taxi-driver and the hotel staff described the girls as so intoxicated that they were not even able to talk or walk. The decision to take them to the hotel was made by the young males, not by the girls themselves.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

These guys seem like an odd pair. A church pianist and a dancer. Have a look at this video which shows Blackston making an ass of himself on the Tokyo subway system.

http://tamaratattles.com/2012/05/29/video-of-james-blackston-american-dancer-arrested-in-japan-dancing-on-train-in-japan/

6 ( +7 / -1 )

toxicology reports indicated traces of two drugs previously highlighted in date rape cases(Xanax and Lidocaine) and one of the UK newspapers reported that the two men could be heard on the CCTV footage from the taxi excitedly talking about sex while the two women appeared unconcious

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Enjoy yourself in Japanese Prison. Hope you enjoyed yourself...you ain't goin' NOWHERE, for a LONG time, SkumBoy.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Well what we DO know is this: two men take two (effectively) unconscious women back to their hotel in a taxi. They even need WHEELCHAIRS to get the two unconscious women to their hotel rooms.

And then they have sex with them.

Speaks volumes already.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

If the women were unconscious to the point of needing wheelchairs, then there's no way these guys had consensual sex. They're in deep kimchi and it's nobody's fault but their own. The guy's story doesn't match the evidence. He supposedly only "lightly pressed her neck when having sex", so when did the towel get used to leave enough evidence on her neck to warrant the police saying he strangled her with it? Sick.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I do have to agree with Jamie Lunel, though. Releasing the names of people who are technically minors in Japan is supposed to be prohibited no matter WHAT country the suspect hails from. The article was written by the Associated Press (an American news service) and in America the guy is an adult, but JT should at least be able to censor things that are illegal to report in Japan when it re-publishes a foreign article. Mind you, I'd rather Japan change it's existing ridiculous definition of a "minor" to match most other countries, but they aren't going to do so just because I want them to.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

If she was 90 then his explanation would make some sense but at 21 girls don't die from sex.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Saw the video of this bellend dancing on the train. What a scumbag .... and those laughing too, Oh he's intimidating the other passengers and making them feel uncomfortable. Someone should've given him a headbut.

Also, where was hotel security, didn't anyone (even a remote camera) see two guys wheeling girls up to their floor in wheelchairs. I'm sure if I had seen that, I would've reported it to someone, especially if they (the girls) were not booked to stay in the hotel.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I think neither one of them has a leg to stand on . Bottom line is any self respecting man who had actual respect for the woman he was with would insist on having relations under better terms ..meaning not sober enough to make a proper decision. I have personally watched a few individuals in my time doing the same thing to women. I stepped in during those events regardless of what others thought of me. It's wrong , use your charm wits and personality to attract a partner , getting someone so drunk to the point where they can't make a intelligent decision for themselves as far as I am concerned is date rape . I hope these two get what they deserve ..no excuse or apology will pacify her parents and fill the void created in their hearts and future family gatherings events

Shame on them, they insult the rest of good men out there.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Little typo there should say under better terms where she could make a sober decision

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Sitting here on the web I have to say it sounds like rape and manslaughter at the least. They both need a long time in prison to contemplate their crimes.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I don't get this, i thought Americans were the good guys. I guess the non US citizen was collatoral damage, shit happens, you dig?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I get the feeling these two could not take no for answer. Now they will pay for their evil entent.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Don't the bartender or waitress check the ID at the bars in Japan to see if you are 20 or over? Hinds is 19 years old, and the bartender continue to serve him excessively without checking his ID? This case also is also the responsibility of the bar owner since excess drinking might've contributed to her death.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Lots of people here are quick with verdicts. I have never been to Japan, but married to a Japanese sweet woman for the last 12 years. Can somebody help me ? So with 19 he is a minor; how can he be charges as an adult ? Do have 19 years old minors the same rights as adults ? Can they vote, or buy booze e.g. ? Thanks for your help ....

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@Jamie Lunel

This article is written by an American news service. I'm not sure, but in the US 19 years old is considered adult, right? There isn't the double standard here. Can you find any Japanese news service actually releasing his name?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

katetama...in the U.S. you can vote for any election at 18. You are considered adult in a criminal case at 18. However, to purchase alcohol is 21. Hinds and any foreigners visiting Japan has to follow Japan's law. The law states legal drinking age in japan is 20, but there are vending machines that you can get alcohol (mostly beer) without hardly any enforcement.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Date raped and murdered, Why is he not for the death penalty???

3 ( +5 / -2 )

She had three drinks so I dont know what swine drunk is. Once these drugs go in your system you are incapacitated. MURDER MURDER MURDER

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Richard Hines is a 19 year old fool who now has to deal with the consequences of his own stupidity as does his friend. I'm just sad that he's only getting 4 years for what should be considered rape/murder instead of at least 20 to life. Its times like this I wish Japan had a good ol' American justice system!

You have to have a lot of pressure to have a towel imprinted on a person's neck (presuming it was on the front of the neck). IMO it takes a sick individual to be getting off by choking (no matter how slightly) someone else.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Japanese media is prohibited from releasing the name of a suspect who is still a minor and will continue even if his trial proceedings run a few years when he/she will be an adult. The only exception that has been debated in Japan is the right for the media to release his/her name when the final court decision imposes a death sentence where the convict is no longer able to "return to society". This is what happened to double murder of Hikari-shi where couple news media reported his name while the rest did not.

Another thing. Depending on the severity of the crime, a family court who has initial jurisdiction on criminal charges of minors, can transfer the case to the prosecutors and tried as an adult.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

HonestDictator, I do agree with everything, you said. I am only sad that this murder case is one of those, which are 100% avoidable. Would she be a little more careful and smart, she could be in her mother's arms right now, and we would never learn about idiot Hinds of Memphis.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

pressing on her kneck during intercourse, i know some girls like it that way but....the fact that this is a rape, pretty sure those girls did not want to sleep with them, and one of them died because of it.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Wheeling them in on wheelchairs to have sex with them.....C'mon guys, sounds way to desperate for me almost morbid.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

4 years ....it will be a long 4 years, I watched a documentary on the penal system here ...not going to be cushy like back home ...these young fools will be brought close to the edge of insanity I'm sure. Japanese language lessons to the extreme. Good for them they are lucky they aren't getting the death penalty and are being tried as minors. Remember boys.....ich... ni....san....ich....ni....san

1 ( +1 / -0 )

This guy Hinds thought by drugging her with "date rape" in her drink, he thought he is scoring a easy home run. A easy lay with her being unconcious. He's a animal and end up killing this poor girl. She had no chance in full life. Japan should change laws to change with times. This guy should be tried as a adult and sentenced like adult. If found guilty, let him rot in jail with rice and fishheads for dinner.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Obviously his intentions were evil. In the event a person is unconscious because of Alcohol, they need immediate medical care. So even if he didnt intend to kill, he certainly is guilty of man-slaughter and assault without consent. This guy needs to be deported and never allowed back here.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

For those in doubt over the culpability of these two men, see below the more comprehensive coverage of the trial in Irish media. It seems pretty clear from the presence of date rape drugs in the girlsblood and from the mens own words in the recorded CCTV coverage from the taxi that they drugged the girls to bring them back to their hotel to rape them.

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/nicola-had-date-rape-drugs-in-her-system-court-told-29106862.html

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Nobody believes what this guy is saying here for one second about not trying to harm her in any way- does this mean he is lying under oath already? When there is no one to respond to what he says i guess he can very well say what he wants and try to get away with it?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Whatever the sentence is, I hope it wipes the arrogant smirk off the face of the little ** I saw dancing on the train in hidingouts link. Arrogant little ***. Who the hell does he think he is.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Poor young lady. May she rest in peace. I feel so bad for her family to have lost their daughter in such a brutal way. I hope they can find some form of Peace in the future. From all I have read she was loved so much In her life and had wonderful parents and a sister who really was her best friend. Not forgetting the young girl who was with her in Japan and thankfully still has her life. I hope she has a good life and someday can find the strenght to deal with all that has happened to her .

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Until we get the tox reports and hear evidence of what was said on taxi cctv and oseen on the hotel cctv difficult to know precise facts. Yes, he seems like an arrogant person based on his previous antics and yes it appears the girls were at the very least very drunk. still doesn't mean the keisatsu are right. They have been known to be wrong before and to present surmise as if it were hard evidence.....

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Tox report is back...

http://www.blacktokyo.com/2013/03/05/nicola-furlongs-toxicology-report-positive-for-drugs/

but just topical skin rash medicine and Xanax... an anti-depressant she was prescribed back home in Ireland.

No date-rape drug here.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

This guy should be tried as a adult and sentenced like adult.

Hinds is being tried as an adult. This means that despite being recognized as a minor by Japanese law, he could face a life sentence in prison, as opposed to the maximum of five years for those under the age of 20.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

In Ireland they just basically say he strangled her. Never heard of the wheelchairs or the towel. American new will probably say she slipped.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Hide Suzuki, I agree with you completely, unfortunately a vast majority of readers here are American, and believe idiotically in their 'American rights', regardless of what crime was committed.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Typical thug who most likely had raped before. Hope they put him away for a long, long time

2 ( +2 / -0 )

These 2 scums deserve the DEATH PENALTY and ASAP!! RIP poor Irish lady

0 ( +0 / -0 )

American denies intent to kill Irish woman in Tokyo hotel

Japan, please do us a favor. Please do the best you can to present the case that they had a "INTENT TO KILL" to convict these scums for death sentence, will you? We do not want these scums here in USA. Thanks.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Jamie LunelMar. 04, 2013 - 03:43PM JST

why they releasing his name for!? At 19, he's a minor by Japanese law. What is the deal with the double standards??

I believe the Constitution of Japan does not apply to foreigners. Simple.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Konsta: I hope you understand why so many people have thumbed-down your comment. You can be as smart as you like but if you happen to meet the wrong person - who takes advantage of the fact you are drunk (mixed with either xanax or a date rape drug - both have the same effect anyway, it is said), it is still in NO WAY your fault. Do not blame a woman for not being smart enough if she ends up raped or in this case killed. We are all told to watch our drinks when we go out - and she seems like a sensible girl just out having fun who would have tried to do that - but if a drug was slipped into her drink, then the guy must have been extremely sly about it. If not, then the xanax which she needed to take for her anxiety, caused her to become unconscious along with her being drunk. But still, he took full advantage as he and his friend said they would do in the taxi, knowing full well the girls were barely conscious. Earlier on in the evening, the girl and her friend both told the two guys they were not interested in them sexually but obviously this was ignored.

I hope he gets what he deserves.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It has been reported that his friend has got 3 years for attacking the victim`s friend, and another girl prior to that. This is good but it kind of makes you think, if she had not been killed, the actions of these guys would probably have gone unpunished, and they would have gone onto do it to someone else. Good for the Japanese court to punish him. He might have got away with it elsewhere even if he had been brought to court.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@annemarie08 i completely agree with you when you say they could have gone on to do this to someone else but also there is the strong possibility that there are other women before this too.The details of the Blackston assaults on the Brazilian in April last year and the Irish lady the following month are eerily similar.The stories of the two accused are also very alike...two women in separate hotel rooms wake up from a comatose state in their hotel room and ask for sex!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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