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🇯🇵 Japan /Crime & Justice

Asahikawa high school student murder trial: Prosecutors seek 27-year sentence for defendant

From NHK · () Japanese

Translated from Japanese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified In the courts
  • Prosecutors are seeking a 27-year prison sentence for a 23-year-old defendant accused of murdering a 17-year-old high school student.
  • The defendant, Riko Uchida, is accused of causing the victim to fall from a bridge into a river in a valley in Asahikawa City.
  • The trial is ongoing, with the defendant having previously expressed remorse but also denied fabricating evidence.

In a trial concerning the tragic death of a high school student, prosecutors have requested a sentence of 27 years imprisonment for the 23-year-old defendant. The accused, Riko Uchida, faces charges related to the murder of a 17-year-old victim.

The incident, which occurred two years ago, involved the victim allegedly being pushed from a bridge into a river in a valley located in Asahikawa City, Hokkaido. Uchida, who is unemployed, is on trial for her alleged role in the fatal event.

I am sorry for taking away your life.

— Riko UchidaDefendant's statement expressing remorse during a previous court session.

During previous court sessions, Uchida reportedly expressed remorse for taking the victim's life. However, she has also reportedly refuted claims that she fabricated evidence related to the case, indicating a complex dynamic within the ongoing proceedings.

The trial continues as the court weighs the evidence and arguments presented by both the prosecution and the defense. The requested sentence reflects the severity of the charges and the gravity of the loss of a young life.

It's absolutely different.

— Riko UchidaDefendant's response when confronted with accusations of fabricating evidence.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by NHK in Japanese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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