The trial of the arson murder case of "Kyoto Animation" was held on the 25th, and the defendant Shinji Aoba, who was asked about his current feelings, said, "I often wonder if the theft of the work was enough to take people's lives."
Shinji Aoba, 45, is accused of murder, arson, and other crimes for dousing gasoline and setting fire to the first studio of Kyoto Animation in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto four years ago, killing 4 employees and seriously injuring 2019 others.
In previous trials, the prosecution has argued that it was revenge for a misguided grudge that one-sidedly believed that KyoAni had stolen the idea of the novel, while the defendant's lawyer has pleaded not guilty on the grounds that he was not responsible.
At the trial held at the Kyoto District Court, the defendant was questioned again on the 25th, and when asked by the judge how he felt at the time of the incident, Aoba replied, "At that time, I couldn't think about anything after I did it.
As for his current feelings, he said, "I often wonder if the amount of stolen works was enough to take people's lives."
On the 27th, witness interviews for witnesses to the incident are scheduled to take place.