Saturday May 26, 2012

JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

Former Aum fugitive Hirata charged after years on run

Crime Jan. 21, 2012 - 12:37PM JST ( 16 )

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

Order by Time Order by Popularity

16 Comments

2

mitoguitarmanJan. 21, 2012 - 07:38AM JST

Hirata turned himself in to police on the New Year’s eve and was arrested on the spot

Well, kind of on the spot. Just down the street, a bit later.
-1

SpeedJan. 21, 2012 - 08:52AM JST

Has the statute of limitations expired for Hirata on these cases? If so they can't try him, can they.
2

Christina O'NeillJan. 21, 2012 - 09:26AM JST

Looks like it may be Dooms Day for Hirata
1

ScroteJan. 21, 2012 - 10:35AM JST

I also thought the statute of limitations had expired and that was why Hirata gave himself up now. The media seem to be ignoring this point and the police and prosecutors seem to be ignoring the law. Why isn't this being challenged by "journalists"?
5

FightingVikingJan. 21, 2012 - 11:14AM JST

Hirata turned himself in to police on the New Year’s eve and was arrested on the spot

Which "spot" ? Maybe I missread but it seems to me the policeman at the first "spot" sent him packing...
0

jonobugsJan. 21, 2012 - 11:29AM JST

Although I don't agree with the statute of limitations in murder cases, especially in multiple homicides, but this case may set a new precedent if the law can pick and choose which laws they feel like enforcing. Don't like the law? Change it, but don't ignore it.
1

CrazyJoeJan. 21, 2012 - 01:14PM JST

In Japan, the statue of limitations (SOL) is temporarily stopped where there is an accomplice to the crime. Hirata's accomplice is Nakagawa Tomomasa. His death sentence has been finalized in Dec. 2011. Hirata's SOL has been temporarily stopped till Dec. 2011. Hirata has been charged with a crime that normally carries a ten year SOL. In the case of the shooting of NPA commissioner general, Takaji Kunimatsu, back in March 1995 the SOL has run out in 2010. This is why Hirata turned himself in but Hirata was never implicated in the shooting of the Police commissioner.
0

YokotaJan. 21, 2012 - 04:29PM JST

"Hirata has been charged with a crime that normally carries a ten year SOL. In the case of the shooting of NPA commissioner general, Takaji Kunimatsu, back in March 1995 the SOL has run out in 2010. This is why Hirata turned himself in but Hirata was never implicated in the shooting of the Police commissioner." J-land has some interesting Joop holes They know their jegal system very well!
1

fidaruzkiJan. 21, 2012 - 04:40PM JST

I wonder why there is statute of limitations when it comes to crime especially serious crimes like murder or mass murder or even drug cases. the example is as such. Hirata and his accomplice went in hiding, assuming other identities and only re-appeared after SOL has expires. so, what does that mean to him? or to most Japanese especially the victims and survivors? it' s ok to commit crimes as long as you can outsmart the law by staying low for a decade or so? it sure doesn't look like remorse to me. he only comes out because he won't be prosecuted or tired of running when he should have had the decency to own up to the part he played.
1

CrazyJoeJan. 21, 2012 - 06:08PM JST

For murder in Japan, the statute of limitations has been abolished in 2010, retroactive to 1996.
3

kaminarioyajiJan. 21, 2012 - 06:55PM JST

I don't know if anyone else has noticed them, but I went by one of those posters last night that used to have Hirata on them. Where his face used to be, was written, in large kanji, "Arrested". well... yeah, but only after his 3 attempts to surrender!

I don't know about you, but that doesn't sit well with me; it sounds like the police are taking ownership of a job well done, and as we know, that's about as far from the truth as possible in this case.

It should be changed to "Surrendered" to make it factually correct.
3

fidaruzkiJan. 21, 2012 - 08:40PM JST

Yup, I agree. Surrendered should be it
1

almostshatJan. 21, 2012 - 11:53PM JST

Doesnt anybody know that the law was changed and the statute of limitations was annulled/cancelled a couple of years ago!?! Didnt Hirata know???
0

oginomeJan. 22, 2012 - 01:32PM JST

Hirata is disgusting, a vain, conceited, self absorbed individual.
0

YardleyJan. 23, 2012 - 01:30AM JST

Hirata turned himself in to police on the New Year’s eve and was arrested on the spot.

Looks like a attempt to rewrite the event to put the police in a good light. Everyone knows that Hirata had to make an effort to be arrested and it didn't happen on the spot.
0

noirgaijinJan. 23, 2012 - 09:12AM JST

Hirata turned himself in to police on the New Year’s eve and was arrested on the spot.

LOL