Iizuka case second retrial motion closed closed hearing, likely to be decided after April

This is the second petition filed by the family of a former death row inmate who has already been sentenced to death in the so-called "Iizuka Incident" in which two elementary school girls were murdered in Iizuka City, Fukuoka Prefecture 32 years ago. The closed hearing ended on the 15th, and according to the defense team, the court has announced that it is expected to make a decision on whether to grant a retrial after April this year.

In 1992, two first-grade elementary school girls were abducted on their way to school in Iizuka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, and their bodies were found in the so-called "Iizuka Incident." They were charged with murder and other crimes, but they consistently maintained their innocence. Kuma, a former death row inmate (70 years old), was sentenced to death and executed in 2008.

Three years ago in July, the family of a former death row inmate filed a second petition requesting a retrial.

According to the defense team, in a closed hearing so far

, on the day of the incident, a man who was not a former death row inmate was driving a light passenger car similar to the former death row inmate's car, and two girls were in the back seat. In addition to questioning a man who said he witnessed the

incident, a female witness who was said to have last seen the two girls on the day of the incident was questioned, according to the final verdict.

In this case, the woman testified that at the time, the police officer had led her to create a report that differed from her recollection.

The defense team argues that this is new evidence that clearly shows that the woman's testimony at the time was unreliable.

According to the defense team, the trial was completed on the 15th, and the Fukuoka District Court has announced that it expects to issue a decision on whether to grant a retrial in April or later.

Lawyer: ``The truth has come to light''

Lawyer Yasuyuki Tokuda of the defense team said, ``Today, we explained the purpose of the trial because we believe that the evidence structure of the first trial judgment that Mr. Kuma was the perpetrator has completely collapsed. I feel like I'm starting to see it," he said.