Man Denies Guilt After Life Sentence for Sexual Assault and Murder of 20-Year-Old Woman

A heavy sentence was handed down in the appellate court, following the first trial.

On May 17, the Tokyo High Court sentenced Shogo Kina (41) to life imprisonment for charges including murder and forcible indecent assault resulting in injury. Kina is accused of sexually assaulting and killing a 20-year-old woman in January 2014 in Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture. However, due to the lack of physical evidence, Kina has maintained his innocence, claiming “I have no recollection of this.”

In an article published by ‘FRIDAY Digital’ on December 3, 2022, the case was detailed, highlighting that both the defense and prosecution appealed the life sentence handed down in the first trial. We revisit Kina’s alleged crime and his shocking courtroom testimony (with some content revised).

 

Kina ransacked women with the intent to have sexual intercourse.

Both the prosecution and defense appealed the verdict.

In the trial of Shogo Kina, accused of committing obscene acts against and murdering a woman in Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture, the Niigata District Court sentenced him to life imprisonment on November 18, 2022. However, on November 30, both the prosecution and defense appealed the decision to the Tokyo High Court, with the prosecution seeking the death penalty and the defense arguing for acquittal.

“The incident occurred in January 2014. The victim, referred to as Ms. A, was a 20-year-old who worked at a confectionery factory. On the day of the incident, Ms. A left her apartment at 4 a.m. and drove to her workplace. However, she did not arrive by her scheduled start time of 4:40 a.m. and was reported missing.

Kina, on the other hand, had finished his night shift and drank with several colleagues until the early hours. While heading to a ramen shop, he separated from the group. According to the indictment, he was allegedly scouting for a woman for sexual purposes,” reported a national newspaper’s social affairs correspondent.

The prosecution claims that Kina spotted Ms. A on her way to work and took an interest in her. After approaching her from outside her car and getting in, he allegedly threatened her, saying, “If you resist, you’ll get hurt,” and proceeded to commit indecent acts, causing her injuries that required one week to heal.

“Afterwards, Kina is said to have moved the car to a nearby river. Fearing the incident would be discovered, he allegedly grabbed Ms. A’s face and submerged her in the river, strangling her to death,” the correspondent added.

Defendant Kina, accused of abduction for indecent purposes, forcible indecent assault causing injury, and murder, has been arrested and indicted not just for this case.

“From 2013 to 2014, a series of indecent incidents targeting young women occurred in Shibata City. Kina, who had served time for rape causing injury and arson of structures among other crimes, began living in Shibata City after his release in July 2013. It has been revealed that Kina was involved in at least four indecent incidents in the city,” said another national newspaper social affairs reporter.

During the trial for the murder of Ms. A, Kina repeatedly made shocking statements in response to inconvenient questions, saying, “I don’t remember,” or “I have no recollection.” Even when presented with physical evidence, he completely denied involvement in the incident, asserting his innocence.

Mixed DNA from both Ms. A and Kina was found in her car. The prosecution refuted Kina’s claims and sought the death penalty.

“(Kina) has an extremely strong sexual desire. His crime was indiscriminate, targeting anyone as long as he could commit indecent acts at will. He feels sexual excitement in forcibly raping unwilling women, fundamentally driven by a strong desire to rape. The murder of Ms. A was aimed at preventing the discovery of the incident.”

Even in the appeal trial, Kina received a life sentence. Ms. A’s family released a statement saying, “We still believe that the death penalty is appropriate for the defendant.”