By Editorial,
A Japanese court has sentenced to death a man who killed four people in a shooting and stabbing attack in 2023, rejecting the defense’s argument that he has Chronic Mental Illness.
Masanori Aoki, now 34, stabbed two women who were taking a walk in the city of Nakano and then shot two policemen who arrived at the scene after receiving an emergency call with a hunting rifle.
Gun violence is rare in Japan, where strict firearms laws are in place, the last such incident happened more than 30 years ago.
Prosecutors agreed that Aoki had suffered from delusions but argued that he had committed the murders in a fit of rage, and was able to discern right from wrong at the time. They also said Aoki had demonstrated “exceptional cruelty and cold-bloodedness,” according to Japan Times.End
