Prosecution seeks two-year sentence for man who interrupted Asahikawa murder trial

Prosecutors have requested a two-year custodial sentence for Tetsushi Murayama, a 48-year-old man who interrupted a high-profile murder trial in Asahikawa, Hokkaido. During the sentencing of Riko Uchida for the death of a high school girl, Murayama entered the courtroom and shouted, “Do the death penalty!” and “What do you mean 27 years!”

Murayama, who is currently without a fixed address and works in delivery, admitted to the charges of building trespass and forcible obstruction of business during his first hearing on September 11. Prosecutors argued that his actions were premeditated, noting that he had scouted the courthouse beforehand and attempted to use force to impose his own sense of justice.

In contrast, the defense argued that the level of planning was extremely low and requested a lenient sentence. The court is scheduled to deliver its verdict on September 29.