The Kyoto District Court has ordered further psychiatric tests for Shinji Aoba to determine whether he is mentally fit to stand trial for murder and arson. Aoba, 43, was indicted last December over an arson attack on a Kyoto Animation Co studio in July 2019 in which 36 people were killed and 33 others injured.
Last year, after being released from hospital, Aoba underwent a psychiatric evaluation and was found to be mentally competent. However, the latest ruling, approved by the Kyoto District Court on Tuesday, was requested by Aoba’s defense attorney, Sankei Shimbun reported.
According to officials, the latest evaluation has already begun and will be completed during an undisclosed time frame. In addition to delays in the pretrial arrangement proceeding to narrow down the key issues, this has caused the trial date to be further delayed.
Aoba suffered severe burns in the arson attack and was arrested in May 2020 after sufficiently recovering from his injuries.
Aoba, who has a history of mental illness, has accused Kyoto Animation of stealing his novel.
© Japan Today
13 Comments
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Sindhoor GK
They still didn't hang him yet? Do it quick.
Sven Asai
What’s that, do they then want to release him later? The many victims couldn’t stand his fire attack and hopefully he can’t stand the rope.
bokuda
It's been 3 years already.
Are the justice agents paid by the hour? How can it be this slow?
Nobnaga
well it might take another 10 years of checks then they might say he is mentally unstable and they will let them go
nakanoguy01
In my 20+ years of living here, I've never read the courts finding a defendant unfit to stand trial. This is pure kabuki theater.
blahblah222
The conditions at Japanese psych wards are so bad it is actually a punishment far worse than death. Even for people who did not commit crimes they are rarely able to leave within their lifetime. All contacts with family and friends are generally cut off, and when it is allowed, all incoming and outgoing letters must be reviewed by the hospital. Solitary confinement and being tied down to bed for years at a time with no one to speak to is also common practice.
ReasonandWisdomNippon
Death penalty.
This topic has come up before.
Some consider Japan barbaric for using it once every few years for the most terrible crimes committed. Some would prefer serious criminals be lock up for decades upon decades as a better alternative.
Paul14
He's clearly nuts and driven by anger and a sense of superiority. So, hang him quick. Then, we can all move on.
Alan Harrison
Kyoto Animation murder suspect to undergo additional psychiatric tests
A step in the right direction by the the media. Suspect. He has not had a trail yet. Still a long way to go though. If he was mentally sound when he did the deed, he will probably be mentally unsound by the time of his trail, having been in Tokyo Detention Center. Ironic really.
WilliB
Waste of ressources. By murdering so many people for a ridiculous reason he has forfeited his right to live. Society should get rid of him instead spending more money and time on him.
tinawatanabe
Most of the cases, a big incident like this has some big organization behind it.