Ichihashi appeals life sentence for killing British teacher

no date has been set for the appeal and please do not set one.

here we go....quite expected. He is unlikely to serve more than seven years.

I hate this, he's only going to jail for 10 years because he can parole then

Unfortunately everyone has the right to an appeal.

He definitely has the right to appeal and should use the right. Now it's up to the Japanese justice system to do its job.

I hate this very much too, guys... But then..after being born and raised here for over 30 years now I come to realize how backwards and corrupted the judicial system is in this country. It seems to me that criminals get better treatment than victims. As a woman, you have no idea how many countless stories of rape victims I've heard..how they were belittled and degraded by the keystone kops in order to protect the rapist and his family. Still, when a foreign woman get raped, tortured and killed and even having her corpse abused afterwards by this mayor cold blooded murdering scumbag, you come to think many things. How everything is orchestrated on his behalf.

I'm a little surprised yet not shocked. I was somehow waiting for this trash to make a move soon after he got sentenced.

I have to admit that because rape was the strong motive in this case, this human abomination probably got some leniency laced with your usual "shouganai" from these all MALE judges, men probably in their 40's-50's. Men who probably view RAPE as "shouganai" because it is embedded in this society and culture. Rape is pretty much condoned in this country, partly because this country is still MALE dominated. Rape is viewed as a natural response when a woman rejects a man with determination. I've have never seen in my 30 years, people having an outcry because of Rape here. It gets covered and brushed away under the carpet by the Corrupted/dirty Media. The Waseda case went to light because it was WASEDA, nothing else. Did they ever mentioned the traumatized woman that jumped to her death? I guess not.

I'm still hurting for this young lady that came to my country to teach with all her good and kind intentions. My heart is broken because it shows how little they value human life in here. Dogs get better treatment. This society suffers incredibly of the SHEEP EFFECT. the Monkey see Monkey do.....It's really shameful.

I hope this piece of burnable trash doesn't get his chance and instead, his appeal get denied over and over, hoping that the prosecutors do their job right. I hope that they think about saving face and turn down this scumbag.

Rest in Peace, Ms. Hawker =(

Uh-Oh.

Here we go!

Agree he has the right to appeal.

Of course the question is how much was he pressured by his Lawyers to do so, so that they can keep getting their pay-cheques.

@BlueWitch

What is your problem with the all-male judges?

1) The rape wasn't an issue here; he'd already admitted it.

2) They didn't believe his story that the death was accidental. They found hin guilty of murder.

3) They handed down exactly the sentence demanded by the prosecution.

I've said it before: What else could they have done?

He can try but I highly doubt he'll get his sentence overturned. And as for getting out in less than 10 years, unlikely. Even though what he did was horrific, he still has rights... we would want the same if we were put in prison.

I support you on this, BlueWitch. Japan (as everywhere else) should be a place that women could walk around in complete safety at any time of the day or night.

**lucabrasiAug. 03, 2011 - 08:05AM JST

@BlueWitch

What is your problem with the all-male judges?

1) The rape wasn't an issue here; he'd already admitted it.

2) They didn't believe his story that the death was accidental. They found hin guilty of murder.

3) They handed down exactly the sentence demanded by the prosecution.

I've said it before: What else could they have done?**

@Lucabrasi

No problem at all, but it shows how little interest they have to be impartial and unbiased, at least for the sake of the victim's family. All Male or All Female juries should be avoided, period. Nothing against MALES in particular, of course.

I'm glad they handed down the life sentence but still...the chance of being paroled after mere 10 years give me the shivers.... Did you know that if he was handed down a 20 year sentence, the chance of him being paroled would have being virtually zero? Honestly, I would have been more at easy knowing that at worst, he would have to spend, at least, 20 years behind bars....not just 10 with this Life Sentence.

At the end, there are No guarantees, we could all get lucky and having him rot behind bars for many many years, say 40, 50....but then we could all get slapped in the face with the 10 year parole BS.

It all depends how much face the Court wants to save. I say keep him behind bars for the rest of his pathetic life.

We don't need trash like him among us. I hope he rots in prison forever. YUCK!

If he was truly remorseful, he'd accept the punishment and let the Hawkers try to final some closure on what must be a very painful time in their lives. Goes to show he doesn't care about anyone else but himself.

I'm with Godan; this scumbag appeals to the media over and over that he's sorry and remorseful, but it seems to me he's sorry only for two things: 1) he was caught after running (and being sorry) for two years, (2) he was sentenced to life. There would be no appeal if the man were actually sorry.

**makiminatoAug. 03, 2011 - 08:19AM JST

I support you on this, BlueWitch. Japan (as everywhere else) should be a place that women could walk around in complete safety at any time of the day or night.**

You know, before I would leave the doors and windows unlocked without any fear but things have been so different lately that now I'm just afraid someone would enter my house and harm me and my children while my husband is at work. Just terrifying to think about it.

Let him appeal - he has the right to and I would rather not live in a country that doesn't allow them. However, let him appeal and his appeal to be rejected. No judge is going to give him a lighter sentence and face the wrath of the public (international and Japanese) and embarrass those who sentenced him.

So, he's showing remorse for killing her by appealing now?

Did he want the DP?

Ichihashi’s lawyers have argued that he tried to revive Hawker after suffocating her by accident in an attempt to keep her from crying out for help.

Suffocating and strangling are 2 very different things that are impossible to mistake.

Funny how the media forget to add things conveniently....

It should have been read: Ichihashi’s lawyers have argued that he tried to revive Hawker after suffocating her by accident in an attempt to keep her from crying out for help, while he was raping her!!!!!

Accident my A$$! He murdered her in cold blood....PERIOD!

I'm really hoping for this SCUM to find a way to hang himself when the real panic sets in....

No lay judges will take part in the appeals court.

@Bluewitch:

To be fair, according to court transcripts he raped her first, then strangled her afterward when she freed herself from her bonds and tried to escape the apartment while screaming for help.

As for the appeal, it's standard procedure and will not likely end up with any change in his sentencing. As for parole, as others have said before, it's uncommon for it to be granted in Japan; even less so in a high profile case such as this. He's not getting out for a long time.

because rape was the strong motive in this case, this human abomination probably got some leniency laced with your usual "shouganai" from these all MALE judges, men probably in their 40's-50's.

The judges gave him the sentence the prosecution demanded. Where do you see leniency? What more would you have them do?

All Male or All Female juries should be avoided

Japan doesn't have juries. It has lay judges.

Did you know that if he was handed down a 20 year sentence, the chance of him being paroled would have being virtually zero?

Do you realise that a 20-year sentence would guarantee him his freedom in 20 years, assuming that he didn't do something stupid like attack a guard in that time? The only way they can give him more than 20 years is to sentence him to muki-choeki and trust that the system will turn down his application for parole.

I think your problem is with the system, not with the attitudes of male judges, who gave him the heaviest sentence they were able to pass down.

Sounds like the prosecutor team did a big boo-boo in the trial. The defense team is ONLY permitted to appeal based on technical errors.

The average time served for "life" sentences in Japan is over 31 years. Convicted murderers who tried to get away with their crime have no chance of getting paroled after 10 years. He also has no chance of winning an appeal. Having said that, like a previous poster mentioned, I suspect his lawyers may well have some kind of vested interest in keeping this trial going. If that were to be true, I would find their actions to be despicable because the victim's family have to be put through further suffering before they can finally have closure.

Ishihashi should gotten the death penalty. Once a rapist always a rapist! Rape alone should have warranted a life sentence because women have the right to say "NO" to sexual contact, and when you compound that crime with murder...it should be capital punishment. Note that most of the Japanese adult movies feature rape scenes of high school girls, housewives, teachers, nurses and such. It sickens me!! You cover a person's mouth to stop them from screaming, and you cover their nose & mouth, or choke them...to kill them!! ITS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE!! He murdered the young woman.

R.I.P. Lindsay Ann Hawker.

cleoAug. 03, 2011 - 10:20AM JST

The judges gave him the sentence the prosecution demanded. Where do you see leniency? What more would you have them do?

Parole after 10 years is more than lenient.

Japan doesn't have juries. It has lay judges.

Excuse me, English is NOT my first language unlike yours. I meant Lay Jury indeed.

Do you realise that a 20-year sentence would guarantee him his freedom in 20 years, assuming that he didn't do something stupid like attack a guard in that time? The only way they can give him more than 20 years is to sentence him to muki-choeki and trust that the system will turn down his application for parole.

Still, would you rather have him out in 10? Another extra 10 guaranteed wouldn't hurt. Of course, that would be the worst case scenario...I am NOT asking for 20, but for eternity in Jail.....I want him to ROT, period!!!

I think your problem is with the system, not with the attitudes of male judges, who gave him the heaviest sentence they were able to pass down.

Male judge's attitudes couldn't bother me less, but I would prefer MALE-FEMALE judges. Impartial and unbiased. Get it??

SumoBobAug. 03, 2011 - 10:12AM JST

@Bluewitch:

To be fair, according to court transcripts he raped her first, then strangled her afterward when she freed herself from her bonds and tried to escape the apartment while screaming for help.

Really? If that was the case, oh god...even more terrible than I imagined. She could have escaped but he murdered her instead. Nothing but a REAL SCUMBAG. Pure SMEGMA!

As for the appeal, it's standard procedure and will not likely end up with any change in his sentencing. As for parole, as others have said before, it's uncommon for it to be granted in Japan; even less so in a high profile case such as this. He's not getting out for a long time.

I really hope so, your words give me some comfort...THANK YOU. ^_^

Unfortunately everyone has the right to an appeal.

Why is it unfortunate?

The average time served for "life" sentences in Japan is over 31 years. Convicted murderers who tried to get away with their crime have no chance of getting paroled after 10 years.

Do you have some links to back up these claims that you made here?

It's despicable to read this thread and find out how many "posters" here seem to side with this SCUM.

YUCK!!!

Parole after 10 years is more than lenient.....I am NOT asking for 20, but for eternity in Jail....

He isn't going to get parole after ten years. The only way, under the present system, to lock him up indefinitely is to give him muki-choeki, which they did, and then refuse parole, which they will.

I don't care if the judges are male, female, hermaphrodite or cross-dressers, so long as they're impartial and stick unemotionally to the letter of the law.

It's despicable to read this thread and find out how many "posters" here seem to side with this SCUM.

I've read the thread and cannot see a single poster siding with Ichihashi. Not a one.

ebonyninjaAug. 03, 2011 - 11:14AM JST

Ishihashi should gotten the death penalty. Once a rapist always a rapist! Rape alone should have warranted a life sentence because women have the right to say "NO" to sexual contact, and when you compound that crime with murder...it should be capital punishment. Note that most of the Japanese adult movies feature rape scenes of high school girls, housewives, teachers, nurses and such. It sickens me!! You cover a person's mouth to stop them from screaming, and you cover their nose & mouth, or choke them...to kill them!! ITS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE!! He murdered the young woman.**

R.I.P. Lindsay Ann Hawker.

That is true, and because this is Japan, NOT the UK or the U.S. or Taiwan....Rape is considered a misdemeanor rather than a "Horrible Crime" worth of REAL punishment. You gotta love how the Japan Apologists who are NOT Japanese themselves(most cases) always try to make us look bad and side with these CRIMINALS somehow.

I wonder what would be their reaction is Lindsay Hawker was their own blood, sister or daughter or even a close friend.

Animals like these should have NOT rights. This is an Animal that should have been out down from day one.

RIP

cleoAug. 03, 2011 - 11:45AM JST

He isn't going to get parole after ten years. The only way, under the present system, to lock him up indefinitely is to give him muki-choeki, which they did, and then refuse parole, which they will.

I'm really hoping for the same outcome, appeal denied over and over. Let's see.

I don't care if the judges are male, female, hermaphrodite or cross-dressers, so long as they're impartial and stick unemotionally to the letter of the law.

Now we have something we both agree. I'm all for impartiality and fairness. Though I still prefer the lay judges were both male and female. ^_~

I've read the thread and cannot see a single poster siding with Ichihashi. Not a one.

It gets tricky, you gotta read every post word by word. Of course, I can't guarantee that such posts weren't deleted before you read. I know I read a couple suggesting things like "what he got was enough" and "why wouldn't he be able to appeal his sentence" etc. Hmmm....

Supporting the right for a person to appeal a sentence is not the same as supporting that person.

He has the right to appeal. And I'm sure that we all hope he loses that appeal.

I think that too many people are caught up on the fact that he could be paroled after ten years. He could also spend the next sixty years in prison. Someone posted that the average sentence that people served for life has gone up to over 20 years and I see no reason to assume that it will be different for Ichihashi. He was found guilty and given the sentence that the prosecution asked for. This should be regarded as a good thing.

Please tone down your language. Nobody is siding with Ichihashi.

Knew this is gonna happen, that's why I support the death penalty for nit jobs like this. Get it done and over with when you have 100% EVIDENCE and prove beyond all reasonable doubt.

He hides behind this "it was a accident" thing, what a joke! and those do good support that think he should be released later in life from prison when he has fully rehabilitated. Yeah right.

Excellent news!

Now the prosecutor can make it so that Ichihashi's "life" sentence turns into the only reasonable sentence - the death penalty.

Rape alone should have warranted a life sentence because women have the right to say "NO" to sexual contact.

Never heard of a court of law that sentenced a person to life imprisonment for rape.

Don't get me wrong, rape is a terrible crime that leaves terrible pain, suffering in addition to physical and mental scars, but a life sentence??

The average time served for "life" sentences in Japan is over 31 years. Convicted murderers who tried to get away with their crime have no chance of getting paroled after 10 years.

Do you have some links to back up these claims that you made here?

http://www.geocities.jp/y_20_06/parole2.html

It's in Japanese, but the table shows that only one lifer since 1990 has been paroled in less than 11 years; since 2000 only 3 of all those serving life sentences and offered parole have been released in less than 20 years. The average time spent in prison by lifers as of 2010 prior to parole was 35 years and 3 months.

As of the 1st April 2008, 87 lifers had been imprisoned for 30 years or more; as of 2002, the longest-serving prisoner had been inside for 52 years and 10 months.

This page is also interesting - http://www.geocities.jp/y_20_06/wagakunino.html It explains that in Japanese law the longest sentence for a fixed term that can be handed down is 20 years, or 30 years for multiple crimes, and that comes with the possibility of parole after one-third of the term has been served. So assuming that Ichihashi would get the maximum sentence of 30 years for rape and murder, he'd still be eligible for parole after 10 years, and would be guaranteed freedom after 30 years.

If you disagree with the system, fair enough; but I do not think the judges can be faulted for adhering to the letter of the law and handing down the heaviest sentence available to them. Nor is it 'supporting the scumbag' to want to see the law followed meticulously. I'd rather see him allowed to appeal, and his appeal rejected, than to see him wriggle out later on some minor procedural discrepancy.

As for the death penalty for rape - you really need to think this through. Rape is a horrible crime, but if it carries a death penalty, what is to stop the rapist routinely killing his victim to prevent her identifying him? If she's dead there's less chance of him getting caught and even if he is caught, his sentence will be no different. The law has to work for all cases, not just this one.

Interesting enough, I got this piece of information from both TheStar.com and Huffingtonpost.com articles regarding this case....

The judge said Ichihashi showed no respect for her life and committed a heinous crime but at age 32, still has a slight chance of being rehabilitated. He could have been sentenced to death by hanging. Hawker's father, who had said the family wanted the maximum punishment, said after the verdict they were pleased to finally get justice.

Now I wonder.... is it possible that "people" like this guy can somehow be rehabilitated?! And what does age had to do with anything anyway? Hmmmm..

.Rape is considered a misdemeanor rather than a "Horrible Crime" worth of REAL punishment.

I truly hope you are being sarcastic here. There have been a number of cases posted on this site detailing the fact that murders got shorter sentences than rapists.

Rape is a felony.

If you disagree with the system, fair enough; but I do not think the judges can be faulted for adhering to the letter of the law and handing down the heaviest sentence available to them. Nor is it 'supporting the scumbag' to want to see the law followed meticulously. I'd rather see him allowed to appeal, and his appeal rejected, than to see him wriggle out later on some minor procedural discrepancy.

Yes, fair enough indeed. Thank you for the pages in Japanese.

As for the death penalty for rape - you really need to think this through. Rape is a horrible crime, but if it carries a death penalty, what is to stop the rapist routinely killing his victim to prevent her identifying him? If she's dead there's less chance of him getting caught and even if he is caught, his sentence will be no different. The law has to work for all cases, not just this one.

Honestly, I DO NOT expect Rapists to be given the death penalty, but at least a nice sentence of 20 years. Death Penalty does NOT deter CRIME!! I have stated that before many times. I just would like to see him in prison for the rest of his life, since he murdered her after the rape.

YubaruAug. 03, 2011 - 12:46PM JST

..**Rape is considered a misdemeanor rather than a "Horrible Crime" worth of REAL punishment.

I truly hope you are being sarcastic here. There have been a number of cases posted on this site detailing the fact that murders got shorter sentences than rapists.

Rape is a felony.**

No, unfortunately I am not. Thieves have been given stricter sentences over stealing a pair of socks at Jusco. On the other hand, first time rapists are usually given a suspended sentence of 3 years. I kid you NOT. Even if Rape is a felony, which it doesn't seem to be under current Japanese laws, it is not punishable enough. Rapists have better chance to walk out than Shoplifters. Sad but true.

They gave him the indefinite life imprisonment with work sentence because the option (definite life imprisonment with work) would have meant a maximum of (only) 20 years in prison. This way (indefinite life imprisonment with work) will make it possible to keep him in prison indefinitely. There are currently two people sitting out such sentences and they've been in for 50 years already.

However, how about a new sentence - if the prosecutor cannot get the death pealty this time around? How about indefinite life imprisonment WITHOUT work?

Why give this piece of shit the pleasure of leaving his cell every day to spend time with other inmates where he can chat it up and brag about how he raped and tortured and pounded on a 22yo foreign girl till she was dead and then got away with it for more than two years??????

Solitary confinement for at least 20 years. First parole hearing in 10 (denied of course). Second parole hearing in another 10 etc etc etc. Make this scumbag suffer and contemplate committing suicide for the rest of his life!

Who would want to buy or use anything that this creep made with his hands??????????

The death penalty for Ichihashi or at least life imprisonment WITHOUT work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BlueWitch: I hear you that society is getting worse and worse, though I still think Japan is 'safer' when it comes to rape than other places. Groping and panty-theiving are of course on the rise, it seems.

Regardless, while I understand someone who is violated and/or raped suffers incredible mental scars and it can ruin their lives, you simply cannot get the death penalty for it. If he were to get it for anything, it would be the murder, but even that would have had to have been much more brutal to warrant the DP according to Japanese law.

I agree whole-heartedly that the man is scum and I hope the judges do not change his life sentence.

I hope the judges do not change his life sentence

I hope they do!

Rape is not taken seriously as a crime in this country. Japan's legal system has the most lenient attitude to rape among the developed nations. It seems that in this case the lawyers have decided that the association with rape has diminished the seriousness of murder too.

**smithinjapanAug. 03, 2011 - 01:01PM JST

BlueWitch: I hear you that society is getting worse and worse, though I still think Japan is 'safer' when it comes to rape than other places. Groping and panty-theiving are of course on the rise, it seems.

Regardless, while I understand someone who is violated and/or raped suffers incredible mental scars and it can ruin their lives, you simply cannot get the death penalty for it. If he were to get it for anything, it would be the murder, but even that would have had to have been much more brutal to warrant the DP according to Japanese law.

I agree whole-heartedly that the man is scum and I hope the judges do not change his life sentence.**

Actually, I've always been against the Death Penalty, you know... because it's been proven over and over that it DOES NOT deter crime and in fact, a very high percent of these cases, victims are more likely to get killed in order to prevent their identification. I do NOT consider myself a bleeding heart abolitionist but I am definitely AGAINST it. I've always seen the death penalty as an easy way out. TOO lenient for this kind of animal. If it was up to me, I'll lock him up inside a rusty stinky cell and give him a few cockroaches for supper. I wish people could understand that life in prison is far way better than dying without paying by suffering behind bars. Thank you for your reply, my dear friend.

dobbinAug. 03, 2011 - 01:19PM JST

Rape is not taken seriously as a crime in this country. Japan's legal system has the most lenient attitude to rape among the developed nations. It seems that in this case the lawyers have decided that the association with rape has diminished the seriousness of murder too.

This is exactly what I've been trying to say all this time. Thank You for your post. =)

Now he has appealed the court should take this opportuity to repeal his life sentence -

And hang him !!

It seems that in this case the lawyers have decided that the association with rape has diminished the seriousness of murder too.

Are you suggesting that because he raped her, he got a lesser sentence?

is he appealing to get death sentence??? if he is then this should be heard!

I don't care how many times my posts are THUMB DOWN by some posters in here. It won't make any difference.

I will remain against the DEATH PENALTY!!!!!!! whether you like it or NOT. period.

I'm glad he will be in prison rather than getting away with it by having a quick death.

Why should he get to sit in a jail eating and living on the tax payer's money? Put him to work at Fukushima Daiichi to clean up. This should be his punishment. Give back to the country for the heinous crime he has committed.

@BlueWitch: right, Ichihashi should never be let out, but neither should he be killed. It doesn't matter what kind of rhetoric people dress the death penalty up with; it comes down to an ugly scene of a bunch of guys lynching someone in a room, away from prying eyes.

Ichihashi will clearly be a danger to women if he is let out. Though it is tempting to think of six English teachers being given half an hour in a room with him, no questions asked, the most appropriate punishment is to let him age away in a cell somewhere.

However, how about a new sentence - if the prosecutor cannot get the death pealty this time around? How about indefinite life imprisonment WITHOUT work?

No thank you, if this were to happen then it would be my taxes paying for his existence. Evidently you are unfamiliar with the Japanese prison system, but prisoners here HAVE to work to pay their own upkeep. It is extremely regimented and done in silence.

As a woman, you have no idea how many countless stories of rape victims I've heard..how they were belittled and degraded by the keystone kops in order to protect the rapist and his family.

As with other issues, you are not helping your case at all. Basically what you are saying is that woman = truth and man = lie. Just because you heard stories does not mean they are true. And just because a man is accused does not mean he is guilty. And the cops out to protect the rapist? Like hell! They are so often stuck in a "he said, she said" situtation and no way to actually resolve it without a confession, a reliable witness, or a time machine. Both men and women lie. Both men and women lie aboiut rape.

But never mind that. Rape is the lesser crime here. Ichihashi is a killer. A murderer. A monster. Its proven and known. There is no doubt. Unless there is some new evidence, I think his appeal should be denied.

Who would want to buy or use anything that this creep made with his hands??????????

I would be quite happy to have a license plate made by Ichihashi. I would be proud to point to it and say "Right now, the scumbag Ichihashi is making another one. And that is all he will do for the rest of his days. This my friends, is justice."

I'm not surprised the coward is appealing. I AM surprised at the amount of posters here who are thumbing down Bluewitch - who incidentally, is the only one really making any sense here! - and supporting the right to appeal of this guy. My personal opinion is that he should NOT have the right to appeal, and in fact, his sentence of life is too lenient!

He knowingly raped her, he knowingly killed her, he knowingly went on the lamb for over 2 years, he knowingly tried to change his looks so that he could avoid capture. Lord knows if he had been successful, how long would it have been before he repeated his offense on another poor woman?

Appeal? I say no!

chewitupAug. 03, 2011 - 03:38PM JST

**As a woman, you have no idea how many countless stories of rape victims I've heard..how they were belittled and degraded by the keystone kops in order to protect the rapist and his family.

As with other issues, you are not helping your case at all. Basically what you are saying is that woman = truth and man = lie. Just because you heard stories does not mean they are true. And just because a man is accused does not mean he is guilty. And the cops out to protect the rapist? Like hell! They are so often stuck in a "he said, she said" situtation and no way to actually resolve it without a confession, a reliable witness, or a time machine. Both men and women lie. Both men and women lie aboiut rape.

But never mind that. Rape is the lesser crime here. Ichihashi is a killer. A murderer. A monster. Its proven and known. There is no doubt. Unless there is some new evidence, I think his appeal should be denied.**

@chewitup

There is No way I would state that all men accused of RAPE are guilty!!! Have you heard the countless (true!) stories of some disturbing women framing innocent guys in the train just because they want to make to extra money?? Some rape cases are NOT what they seem to be, of course. Some innocent people get framed. No doubt about it.

But what I'm referring to is the fact that this SCUMBAG murdered this lady after raping her which was his main motive. Rape is still not punished enough in this society, unfortunately. He just thought that he would rape her and get away with it, but when she tried to escape and screamed for help, he panicked like the little coward he is.

I really hope he ROTS in prison. I still wouldn't give him the death penalty but if he finds a way to off himself, that'd be a huge plus. ^_~

I've read the thread and cannot see a single poster siding with Ichihashi. Not a one.

"It gets tricky, you gotta read every post word by word. Of course, I can't guarantee that such posts weren't deleted before you read. I know I read a couple suggesting things like "what he got was enough" and "why wouldn't he be able to appeal his sentence" etc. Hmmm...."

"Hmmm" indeed! How can you possibly imagine that supporting his indefinite sentence is "siding with Ichihashi"? The man is appealing that sentence for crap's sake!

And how can you imagine that believing he should get his appeal is "siding with Ichihashi". Some welcome it hoping he gets death this time, and its obvious they think Ichihashi does not want death (I think he just might!) Others think he should get his appeal because that is the way the court system works.

If any post was ever here siding with Ichihashi, it was an extreme minority, most probably a troll or an insane or just plain evil person. Why even dwell on their posts?

Tricky? I bet it is tricky trying to construe people's posts as "siding with Ichihashi". Danged tricky. So tricky, how about just giving up on it?

"Oh please, I don't want to spend the rest of my life in jail!" Lets forget that he snuffed out the life of a young woman just in the prime of ther youth. What does he think the alternative is? "I said I was sorry, now let me go free."?

Ichihashi will appeal and he won't get anything. He can appeal mostly because Japan is democratic society (generally speaking), and because his former karate instructor and many anonymous sponsors pay his laywer extra fee to work little bit harder, little bit longer for their boy.I suspect the parents give money too.He won't get anything because his murderous intent was obvious, and because he is considered disgrace for Japan.He , however will spend his time in jail in more comfortable conditions than other prisoners, thanks to the said karate instructor and the sponsors, his rich parents, his editor who would want another book, this time on the trial, and of course, to his women-only fanclub.

Tricky? I bet it is tricky trying to construe people's posts as "siding with Ichihashi". Danged tricky. So tricky, how about just giving up on it?

Chill pill, anyone??

chewitup

I would be quite happy to have a license plate made by Ichihashi.

Just like his followers would, I guess.... Nice!

(the thumbs down is from me)

Skeptical HippoAug. 03, 2011 - 06:55PM JST

chewitup

I would be quite happy to have a license plate made by Ichihashi.

Just like his followers would, I guess.... Nice!

(the thumbs down is from me) <-------This remark made my day (again!) ROFL~

As Cleo and others have alluded to, the possibility of Ichihashi getting parole is slim to none.

Every prisoner is entitled to a parole hearing after serving 1/3 of his/her sentence. For Mukishoeki, it's 10 years. But look at the stats the Cleo linked to. The average age of those who were granted parole is over 30 years. Also consider the number of prisoners who were granted parole which is 4 in 2006 and only 3 in 2007 while the total Mukichoeki prisoners are 1670. That's less than 2/10ths of a percent. This is why some legal experts have labeled the current system as a de facto life in prisonment without parole.

I am not surprised. This creep is a real survivor. Most likely, he gets his wish.

can't have it both ways.

Japanese prisons are not happy places. Making license plates would be a reprieve for him. Rather, just let him rot like everybody else, no special treatment one way or another. We'll never hear of him again.

This criminal and his lawyers doesn't have have shame ? actually he should be thank to that judgement to escape the death penalty.

"Ichihashi's lawyers have argued that he tried to revive Hawker after suffocating her by accident"

And these lawyers actually get paid for this? There are two possibilities:

a) They actually believe what Ichihashi told them ( but no one can be that dumb )

b) They are true scum

IMHO, Lawyers take cases like that mostly because of the Media exposure(advertising) and they will push to keep going as long as possible(often against the wishes of the client). As a successful appeal(if it does happen) enhances them in future possible clients.

Very few lawyers will side personally with a client or belief their innocence/guilt.

There's a third possibility. Ichihashi's lawyers have a duty to argue their client's case no matter how preposterous it is.

It must be tough being Ichihashi's lawyer:

Ichihashi's lawyer: Your Honor, my client tried to revive Hawker after suffocating her accidently.

Judge: Now listen up - I want you to stay off the drugs.

Zenny11Aug. 04, 2011 - 07:17AM JST

IMHO, Lawyers take cases like that mostly because of the Media exposure(advertising) and they will push to keep going as long as possible(often against the wishes of the client). As a successful appeal(if it does happen) enhances them in future possible clients.

Very few lawyers will side personally with a client or belief their innocence/guilt.

@Zenny

This is very TRUE in Japan, Thank You, Zenny.. ^_^

@BlueWitch,

I understand your anger. But, I can assure you that nobody here is siding with Ichihashi.

Most people want rapists to die - except their mothers.

Just like his followers would, I guess.... Nice!

I thought my response to this was quite well put. To insult me in this manner should not be tolerated. Its totally uncalled for as I gave a clear explanation why I would want the plates. Please do your job. Harrassing me isn't your job.

While it is sad that Ichihashi's punishment will never be enough, at least in Japan I can walk the streets at night knowing that my chances of being raped are SIGNIFICANTLY lower than my home country, the USA. And nobody is siding with Ichihashi! Good god!