Suspect in 2019 Kyoto Animation Arson Case Sentenced to Death
The man who killed 36 people in the 2019 Kyoto Animation arson murder case has been sentenced the death penalty.
The man, suspected to have killed over 30 people in the Kyoto Animation arson murder case, has been given the death penalty.
Japan Times reported that the Kyoto District Court has ruled the death penalty for Shinji Aoba, the 45-year-old man who walked into the Kyoto Animation studio and set the building on fire, killing 36 people in the process. On Dec. 7, 2023, the prosecution sent in a formal request for the death penalty for Aoba. Their argument was that Aoba had “murderous intent, premeditation, and ample knowledge of the dangers of spreading and igniting the gasoline [that he used in the attack].” The prosecution concluded that the death penalty was the only adequate punishment for a crime at this scale.
During the December trial, Aoba appeared to show contradictory emotions in regards to his attack. Although he expressed deep remorse for the pain he caused for the deceased’s families, he seemed adamant that KyoAni had wronged him in the first place. In an earlier trial, in September, Aoba confessed he did not think the death toll would be this high.
The defense argued for an acquittal or a reduced sentence on account that he was not of a sound mental state at the time of the arson and could not distinguish from right and wrong due to his emotional turmoil. Medical experts were divided on his mental state.
On Jan. 25, 2024, Judge Keisuke Masuda ruled that Aoba was of a sound mental state at the time of the attack and was thus criminally liable.
On July 18, 2019, Aoba walked into the Studio 1 Building of Kyoto Animation with 40 litres of gasoline and poured it all over the building and a few employees before setting it all on fire, including himself. 36 people were killed and 34 people were injured, including Aoba who had extensive burns on his body. Aoba claimed that KyoAni had plagiarized his novels, although evidence has proven no such thing.
Studio 1 Building was demolished by April 28, 2020. Although there were discussions of using the site as a memorial monument, it was ultimately ruled out as it would disturb “the peaceful lifestyle” of the residents. KyoAni has continued to honor the victims through tribute videos being released annually on July 18.
Source: Japan Times
