A verdict was delivered today at the Niigata District Court for a man charged with murdering his 29-year-old wife and 1-year-old daughter at his home in Minami Ward, Niigata City, in November 2021. The court sentenced the 31-year-old former nurse, Ken Watanabe, to life imprisonment.
Murder Committed to Continue Affair: Key Disputes Were ‘Intent’ and ‘Sentencing’
Watanabe was facing charges of murder, attempted murder, attempted murder with intent, and theft. According to the indictment, in September 2021, Watanabe stole 10 vials of potassium chloride from the hospital where he worked, intending to use them to kill his wife. On November 7, 2021, he used a rope to strangle his wife, Haruka (29), and their daughter, Jun (1), at their home in an attempt to make their deaths appear as suicides.
During the trial, Watanabe admitted to killing the two victims, but denied the intent to kill in relation to a separate case in which he attempted to cause a traffic accident by offering his wife a drink laced with sleeping pills, as well as a charge of theft and attempted murder related to the potassium chloride. The main points of contention in the trial were whether he had the intent to kill at the time of the murders and the appropriate sentencing.
Life Imprisonment: “No Mitigating Factors in the Circumstances or Motive”
The prosecution had sought a life sentence, while the defence called for a fixed-term prison sentence. After considering the evidence, Judge Kensuke Kobayashi of the Niigata District Court stated, “The victims had no fault in this. There are no mitigating factors in the circumstances or motive. Additionally, the defendant, a nurse, misused his knowledge, skills, and position to carry out these crimes, which warrants strong condemnation. Given these circumstances, a fixed-term prison sentence cannot be considered appropriate.”
Judge Kobayashi also acknowledged the defendant’s intent in the attempted murder cases and handed down a life sentence for the murders. After explaining the reasons for the sentence, Judge Kobayashi addressed Watanabe directly, saying, “You must spend the rest of your life atoning for the two lives you took. Never forget that you took the lives of two people who you were meant to protect. Think not only of the two victims but also of the grief felt by their loved ones.”
The defence team has stated they will consult with the defendant about whether to appeal the decision.
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A verdict was delivered today at the Niigata District Court for a man charged with murdering his 29-year-old wife and 1-year-old daughter at his home in Minami Ward, Niigata City, in November 2021. The court sentenced the 31-year-old former nurse, Ken Watanabe, to life imprisonment.
Murder Committed to Continue Affair: Key Disputes Were ‘Intent’ and ‘Sentencing’
Watanabe was facing charges of murder, attempted murder, attempted murder with intent, and theft. According to the indictment, in September 2021, Watanabe stole 10 vials of potassium chloride from the hospital where he worked, intending to use them to kill his wife. On November 7, 2021, he used a rope to strangle his wife, Haruka (29), and their daughter, Jun (1), at their home in an attempt to make their deaths appear as suicides.
During the trial, Watanabe admitted to killing the two victims, but denied the intent to kill in relation to a separate case in which he attempted to cause a traffic accident by offering his wife a drink laced with sleeping pills, as well as a charge of theft and attempted murder related to the potassium chloride. The main points of contention in the trial were whether he had the intent to kill at the time of the murders and the appropriate sentencing.
Life Imprisonment: “No Mitigating Factors in the Circumstances or Motive”
The prosecution had sought a life sentence, while the defence called for a fixed-term prison sentence. After considering the evidence, Judge Kensuke Kobayashi of the Niigata District Court stated, “The victims had no fault in this. There are no mitigating factors in the circumstances or motive. Additionally, the defendant, a nurse, misused his knowledge, skills, and position to carry out these crimes, which warrants strong condemnation. Given these circumstances, a fixed-term prison sentence cannot be considered appropriate.”
Judge Kobayashi also acknowledged the defendant’s intent in the attempted murder cases and handed down a life sentence for the murders. After explaining the reasons for the sentence, Judge Kobayashi addressed Watanabe directly, saying, “You must spend the rest of your life atoning for the two lives you took. Never forget that you took the lives of two people who you were meant to protect. Think not only of the two victims but also of the grief felt by their loved ones.”
The defence team has stated they will consult with the defendant about whether to appeal the decision.