OTSU, Shiga Pref. (Kyodo) The Otsu District Court on Monday rejected an appeal filed by a 70-year-old man for a retrial over his 1984 robbery-murder case in Hino, Shiga Prefecture.

Hiromu Sakahara was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for slaying Hatsu Ikemoto, 69, a liquor store owner, and stealing her cash box. He had sought a retrial, arguing his confession during the investigation was coerced.

But presiding Judge Hidenori Nagai said Monday his confession was "reliable" and noted there was no clear, logical reason Sakahara should be acquitted.