The Mito District Court sentenced a man to death for...
The Mito District Court sentenced a man to death for setting fire to a neighbour's house, killing one person and injuring three
The Mito District Court sentenced a man to death for setting fire to a neighbour's house, killing one person and injuring three.
Kenshi Chiba, 54, set fire to the home in Hitachi, of Masao Imahashi, 75, killing his wife Toshiko, 71, and injuring three members of his family early on March 1, 2000, the court ruled. Chiba blamed his neighbor for his divorce.
Chiba admitted to charges of murder, arson and other offenses, but during the trial he denied having the intention of killing members of the Imahashi family.
Chiba had earlier thought of murdering his former wife, but took pity on his two children. He turned instead on Imahashi, a fisherman who had introduced him to the woman.
Chiba broke into Imahashi's home around 3:30 a.m. and poured gasoline over people sleeping within and ignited it. The blaze eventually destroyed the house. Imahashi himself was absent.
Kenshi Chiba, 54, set fire to the home in Hitachi, of Masao Imahashi, 75, killing his wife Toshiko, 71, and injuring three members of his family early on March 1, 2000, the court ruled. Chiba blamed his neighbor for his divorce.
Chiba admitted to charges of murder, arson and other offenses, but during the trial he denied having the intention of killing members of the Imahashi family.
Chiba had earlier thought of murdering his former wife, but took pity on his two children. He turned instead on Imahashi, a fisherman who had introduced him to the woman.
Chiba broke into Imahashi's home around 3:30 a.m. and poured gasoline over people sleeping within and ignited it. The blaze eventually destroyed the house. Imahashi himself was absent.
— SOURCES
- (Sources: Kyodo News, 04/03/2002)