The Kyoto District Court has rejected a request that a man who entered a school and injured two pupils undergo a comprehensive psychiatric examination before his first court session.
Lawyers for the defendant said Thursday they will repeat their request after the first session. They want the court to examine the mental state of Nobuyuki Shirai, 45, who has been indicted on charges of attempted murder and trespassing.
According to the indictment, Shirai walked into Uji Elementary School in Kyoto Prefecture shortly after midday on Dec. 18. He went into the first-year classroom and stabbed two boys, inflicting minor wounds.
Shirai has a long history of hospitalization for mental problems and had made incoherent remarks and emotional outbursts at the time of his arrest.