The Nara District Court will open on Monday the trial of a 36-year-old man indicted in the kidnapping and murder of a 7-year-old girl in the city of Nara.
Kaoru Kobayashi's lawyers said he will admit to the facts presented in the indictment, adding they plan to request that the court conduct a psychological examination on him.
The former newspaper deliveryman killed the girl in his house after abducting her Nov. 17, according to the indictment. He sent a photo of the girl's body and a threatening message to her mother via mobile phone.
Kobayashi was quoted as saying during police questioning, "I didn't want her to make a noise," and, "I thought I might be arrested if I released her." He also reportedly said: "I'm satisfied with what I did. I will accept the death penalty."