The Miyazaki District Court has sentenced a 27-year-old man to 14 years in prison for attempting to kill a high school girl as she slept in her home in Miyakonojo City in January this year.
According to the ruling, Isao Miyagi broke into the girl’s home through a window between 11 p.m. on Jan 16 and 3 a.m. the next morning, stole clothing and other items, and stabbed her in the back as she slept, NTV reported. He also stole 20 items including the girl’s school uniform and underwear.
The girl screamed and jumped out of bed, calling out for her family, while Miyagi fled.
She was taken to hospital to be treated for a stab wound that took about three weeks to heal.
The girl lives in the house with her parents and three sisters. Miyagi’s residence is only 100 meters away. Police found a knife and clothing stolen from the victim’s house there.
During the trial, Miyagi’s lawyer argued that he was drunk at the time, but presiding judge Funato Hiroyuki said, "This was an extremely dangerous crime based on a strong intent to kill. The effect of alcohol was limited and he knew what he was doing.”
Miyagi had asked to be given the death penalty, his lawyer said after the trial on Friday.
© Japan Today
6 Comments
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Mr Kipling
Too bad the judge didn't give him his wish. If he serves the full sentence he will be back in society at 41.
shogun36
best idea ever
tigerjane
Crime has risen in Japan because the culture has changed so drastically that the coping mechanisms that once in place are gone.
What I mean by this is that you had multiple families living together, where there was more support not only financially but mentally. There surely was no perfect dynamics, and there were issues even in this setting but probably less because of many people under one roof. More and more people are living in isolation and that is not healthy, and you get creepy behavior such as this story above.
smithinjapan
"During the trial, Miyagi’s lawyer argued that he was drunk at the time..."
Pulled the old TIJ, I see. Glad it didn't work. And I am glad he's getting 14 years. Perhaps he'll learn what it feels like to be an innocent young lady just sleeping in bed and not expecting to get stabbed in the back... minus him not being a young lady.
It's weird, though... this guy gets 14 years for attempted murder, but a drunk driver who kills a family gets the same or less?
Chabbawanga
"He was drunk at the time"
Fighto!
Scary that this piece of garbage will be out at around 40. Hoping that he dies in jail. 14 years only for attempting to kill a child is disgraceful.
I just hope the innocent girl will one day recover physically and mentally. How the brave girl can sleep at night in her room after that ordeal I don't know.