Don Juan Murder Case: Ex-Wife Claims Innocence in High-Profile Trial

Six years have passed since the wealthy Nozaki Kosuke, known as the “Don Juan of Kishu” for his free-spirited lifestyle, was found dead in his home. His ex-wife, Saki Sudo, 28, has been accused of murdering him by giving him stimulants. At her first hearing, she denied the charges and pleaded not guilty.

Defendant’s Innocence Claim

Sudo claimed innocence, stating, “I did not kill the president (Mr. Nozaki), nor did I make him take stimulants. I am innocent.” Her lawyer, Kikuchi Kishu, emphasized that the prosecution’s evidence is circumstantial and lacks concrete proof.

Three Main Points of Focus in the Trial

The trial is centered around three key points: motive/intent to kill, method of obtaining stimulants, and method of ingestion. The prosecution claims that Sudo’s motive was to obtain a huge inheritance, while the defense argues that the evidence is weak and far-fetched.

Search History Reveals “Perfect Crime” Searches

The prosecution presented Sudo’s search history, which included terms like “perfect crime,” “death of an elderly person,” and “monkshood murder case.” However, Attorney Yukio Kikuchi stated that while this search history is possible evidence, its importance is another matter.

Defense Counters with Unusual Method of Murder

The defense countered that it is not normal to think of committing the perfect crime by making someone ingest a large amount of stimulants. Reporter Higuchi Ryo noted that the defense did not directly rebut the search history but argued that the method of murder was unusual.

Trial Schedule and Witnesses

The trial is expected to have up to 25 hearings and call 28 witnesses, including pathologists and pharmacologists. A verdict is due to be handed down on December 12.