National News Asahara death sentence appeal foiled

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The Tokyo High Court rejected an appeal from Aum Shinrikyo founder Shoko Asahara on March 27.

This increases the chances that the guru's death sentence for organizing the deadly 1995 gassing of the Tokyo subway and other murders will stand without further trials.

The Tokyo District Court sentenced Asahara, whose real name is Chizuo Matsumoto, to death in February 2004.

His lawyers have, however, been saying he is too mentally ill to stand his appeals trial and take responsibility for his crimes.

Since his arrest 11 years ago, Asahara's behavior has become increasingly strange. Toward the end of his district court trial, he was shouting obscenities, dropping his pants and waving his arms.

Asahara, who is almost blind, shows no sign that he recognizes his three daughters. He grunts, babbles incoherently and touches himself during meetings with lawyers and psychiatrists.

But the Tokyo High Court said March 27 that Asahara is mentally competent to stand trial, based on the diagnosis of a court-appointed psychiatrist. (The Japan Times)

松本被告の控訴棄却

東京高裁は3月27日、元オウム真理教代表の松本智津夫（麻原彰晃）被告の控訴を棄却する決定をした。

Shukan ST: April 7, 2006

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