First death sentence demanded in lay judge trial

Prosecutors in Tokyo have demanded the death sentence for a man charged with killing 2 women. This is the first such sentencing demand since the lay judge system was introduced in Japan in May of last year.

Prosecutors made the request on Monday in the trial of Koji Hayashi. The 42-year-old man was indicted for killing an employee of an ear-cleaning salon and her grandmother after breaking into their home in August of 2009.

Six people chosen at random among citizens aged 20 or older are serving as lay judges in this trial, and will decide on a ruling along with professional judges.

The defendant was a frequent client of the salon and has admitted to the charges. He said he became desperate after the salon worker, 21-year-old Miho Ejiri, kept avoiding him, and he decided to kill her.

The victims' relatives told the court that they want Hayashi to be sentenced to death.

Defense lawyers say the death penalty is too severe a punishment because Hayashi deeply regrets what he did.

They also argue that Hayashi was mentally unstable at the time of the crime and could not tell right from wrong.

On Tuesday, the lay and professional judges will begin 4 days of discussion on what ruling to hand down.