An 18-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of killing his 17-year-old girlfriend and then setting fire to her apartment will undergo a psychiatric evaluation to determine whether he is mentally fit to stand trial.
The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office made the decision on Friday, Fuji TV reported. The suspect, who cannot be named because he is a minor, was arrested last month on suspicion of murder and arson in the death of Mai Sato in Tokyo's Taito Ward sometime within 12 hours of 8:30 p.m. on May 3.
In voluntary questioning before his arrest for suspected murder, the boy admitted to choking Sato. Police believe he also tried to drown her in a bath tub, as water was detected in her lungs. He said he then set fire to the girl's second-floor apartment, using a lighter.
However, police said the suspect has remained silent since his initial confession.
Prosecutors said he will undergo psychiatric tests for two months before they make a decision on whether he can stand trial.
© Japan Today
14 Comments
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sensei258
I wonder if he'll get any sentence at all
Disillusioned
Using a lighter? Wow! I'm so glad that was cleared up.
It's pretty obvious the joker has a few screws loose, but let's hope he doesn't escape being convicted on grounds of insanity.
Ron Barnes
Insane or not Needs locking up for Stupidity and Murder.
Toasted Heretic
Japan needs a lot more funding for mental health care and the wellbeing of its citizens. Another sad, shocking story.
Tamarama
Which should be a relatively straightforward assessment, I dare say.
veejay
The whole not-an-adult thing is rubbish. Just hang him and save everyone the trouble.
Strangerland
How do you know when they haven't even tested him? Are you a mind reader?
Strangerland
Yeah. Trials are a waste of time. We need to hang people on suspicion alone be stop screwing around with trials. It's a waste of time.
Kobe White Bar Owner
Sad story to wake up to,
@
Toasted Heretic
Japan needs a lot more funding for mental health care and the wellbeing of its citizens. Another sad, shocking story.
I think address the lack of emotional understanding/control is more the root of the issue. The borrowed word communication being paramount.
Toasted Heretic
Because... people. Angry people. Angry internet people who might want to do damage to the suspect. Serious damage.
Giveme_abreak
This sounds like first degree murder! Of course he will not say anything, it's not like he has an excuse to kill somebody then set her on fire!
602miko
Justice for the girl !
Belrick
He's not a 'boy', he's a fully developed human being, at least physically. It's high-time Japan stopped labelling 18 years old as a 'minor' age. Unfortunately this POS will be back out enjoying life in 20 years or less, while the girl's family have to live with what he did for the rest of their lives.