Tatsuya Ichihashi was sentenced to life Thursday at the Chiba District Court for the rape and murder of Lindsay Ann Hawker, whose body was found abandoned in a soil-filled bathtub at his apartment in March 2007.
Calling his crimes selfish and heinous, presiding Judge Shinya Hotta said the 32-year-old's testimony was unreliable and contrary to the evidence.
"He has not faced the crimes committed and we cannot acknowledge any attitude of deep regret," he said.