JAPAN: COURT OVERTURNS ONE DEATH SENTENCE IN KITAKYUSHU SERIAL KILLINGS

the Fukuoka High Court in Japan commuted the death sentence handed down to Junko Ogata, 45. She was sentenced to life imprisonment. Ogata and Futoshi Matsunaga, 46, were found guilty of imprisoning and killing seven people in Kitakyushu, including Ogata's family members. They allegedly abused the victims by starving them and giving them electric shocks. All of the corpses were cut up and the bones thrown into the sea. During the appeal, Ogata said she was abused and controlled by Matsunaga. She added that she was simply used as a tool to commit the murders. Ogata's lawyers requested a psychiatric evaluation, but the court turned down the request. Matsunaga was sentenced to death for his role in the crimes.