JAPAN. SPECIAL APPEAL FILED OVER MAN ON DEATH ROW FOR 1961 MURDER

defence counsel for Masaru Okunishi, sentenced to death for killing five people in 1961 in Nabari, Mie Prefecture, filed a special appeal with Japan’s Supreme Court in an effort to win back the chance of a retrial. The Nagoya High Court on December 26 revoked its earlier decision to hold a retrial for Masaru, 80, who was sent to death row after being convicted in 1972 for serving poisoned wine at a gathering of 20 women which resulted in the death of five, including his wife and his lover, and injury to 12 others.