A retrial for a man who died in prison while serving a life sentence for murder will go ahead with his family fighting to clear his name, after a closed-door meeting of judges, prosecutors and defense lawyers at Otsu District Court on the 5th.
The case, known as the Hino Town incident, dates to 1984, when a woman who ran a liquor store in Hino, Shiga Prefecture, was killed at 69 and a hand-held strongbox was taken. Hiroshi Sakahara was convicted of robbery-murder and given life in prison. He died of illness at 75 while still serving the sentence.
At a news conference after the meeting, the defense said it would prove Sakahara's alibi at the retrial.
Prosecutors say disclosure is complete
The defense said prosecutors disclosed 57 more pieces of evidence in response to its requests, and argued the disclosure is still insufficient. Prosecutors said afterward that in light of the purpose of a retrial, they saw no need to disclose anything further.
At his original trial, Sakahara said he had been drinking and sleeping at an acquaintance's home on the day of the murder. The final ruling held that this was false. In February 2023, the Osaka High Court ordered a retrial, finding that in light of new evidence there was "reasonable doubt" about that conclusion.
“If we can prove the alibi, my father is completely innocent. However long it takes, we will keep fighting.”Hiroji Sakahara, 65, Sakahara's eldest son, speaking to reporters
Prosecutors have already said they will not argue for a conviction, and an acquittal is considered certain.