Ex-employee indicted over mass murder at care facility

>> YOKOHAMA: Prosecutors indicted on Friday a former employee of a care home southwest of Tokyo on charges of murder and attempted murder for killing 19 mentally disabled people and injuring dozens in a stabbing rampage at the facility last July.

The indictment in connection with one of the worst mass killings for decades in Japan came after prosecutors determined that Satoshi Uematsu, 27, is capable of taking criminal responsibility for the incident in which 27 people including facility staff were also wounded.

Mr Uematsu began working at the facility in December 2012 but quit in February last year after outbursts in which he spoke of euthanising the disabled.

Shortly after his arrest, Mr Uematsu reportedly told police that he wanted to “save” those with multiple disabilities and felt “no remorse” for what he did.

According to the indictment, Mr Uematsu broke into the Tsukui Yamayuri En facility in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, in the early hours of July 26 and stabbed 43 residents. Friday’s indictment covers counts for all 19 killed and 26 of the 27 injured — 24 residents and two staff.

The case is expected to be examined in a lay judge trial, under the system launched in 2009 to better reflect citizens’ views in trials of serious criminal cases. The suspect’s ability to take criminal responsibility is likely to be a focal point again.

A psychiatric evaluation conducted during Mr Uematsu’s five-month detention concluded that he was able to distinguish right from wrong, judging from remarks during his interrogation when he said “I knew I shouldn’t have killed [the victims]” and “I feel sorry”, according to investigative sources.

Although an examination report showed it was difficult for Mr Uematsu to act rationally due to a narcissistic personality disorder, it said the condition was not severe.

“During the attack, I checked the staff shift roster on a computer to see if a staffer was working or not,” Mr Uematsu was quoted as saying by the sources, in reference to a well-built staff member.

The remarks indicated Mr Uematsu was calm and sought to avoid being hampered in his assault by the staff member.

Considering Mr Uematsu’s remarks and behaviour, the prosecutors concluded he is mentally competent to stand trial.

The Kanagawa Prefectural Police Department has not disclosed most of the victims’ names, in compliance with the wishes of the bereaved relatives.

But experts claim releasing victims’ names is important for the media to check whether law enforcement authorities have modified or hidden information.

The Yokohama District Public Prosecutors Office also did not release the victims’ names despite repeated media requests.

The prosecutors’ office said on Friday it will decide whether to withhold the victims’ names in the upcoming trial, taking into consideration the wishes of the surviving victims and the bereaved families.

Courts can also prevent the disclosure of victims’ personal information, including names and addresses, at their request.