Kyoto Animation Arson Suspect Has Been Officially Charged with Murder and More
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A new update has been given in the arson case that devastated Kyoto Animation last July. A new report from Japan confirms 42-year-old Shinji Aoba has been formally charged as the lead suspect in the case. On December 16, Aoba was shared with murder, attempted murder, breaking and entering, arson, and various arms violations by the Kyoto District Public Prosecutors Office.
This update comes shortly after the suspect was said to be mentally fit for such indictments. Aobo spent months in hospital before moving into recovery after police found him on the day of the arson. The suspect had burns over 90% of his body and needed immediate medical care. Investigators brought in psychological experts to see if Aoba was fit for indictments and trial last week, and their conclusions suggested the suspect was ready.
Suspect in Japan anime studio fire charged with murder
by Mari Yamaguchi, The Associated Press
Posted Dec 16, 2020 4:27 am EDT
Last Updated Dec 16, 2020 at 4:42 am EDT
FILE - In this July 19, 2019, file photo, a woman prays at a makeshift memorial to honor the victims of a fire at the building of Kyoto Animation s No. 1 studio, background, in Kyoto, western Japan. Japanese prosecutors formally filed murder charges Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020, against a suspect in the deadly fire at the Kyoto anime studio in 2019, after it was determined that he has recovered enough from his own severe burns and is mentally fit to stand trial. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
A studio of Kyoto Animation Co. in Kyoto was set on fire on July 18, 2019. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)
KYOTO Prosecutors here on Dec. 16 indicted an unemployed man on multiple charges of murder and attempted murder over the arson attack against Kyoto Animation Co. last year that killed 36 workers.
Shinji Aoba, 42, will be tried under the lay judge system.
Aoba, from Saitama city, has admitted to setting fire to the studio and trying to kill as many people as possible, investigative sources said. His arrest and indictment were delayed until after he recovered from serious burns he suffered in the attack and underwent a psychiatric evaluation.
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TOKYO (AP) Japanese prosecutors formally filed murder charges Wednesday against a suspect in a deadly fire at a Kyoto anime studio last year, after it was determined that he has recovered enough from his own severe burns and is mentally fit to stand trial.
Police in the southern city of Kyoto did not arrest Shinji Aoba, 42, on murder and arson allegations until late May, 10 months after obtaining a warrant, because they had to wait for him to recover. Authorities also carried out a mental evaluation of Aoba and concluded that he is capable of taking criminal responsibility.
The Kyoto District Public Prosecutors Office said prosecutors indicted Aoba on murder, attempted murder, arson and two other charges on Wednesday, when his court-approved custody was to expire.