Convicted Livedoor Co. founder Takafumi Horie on Tuesday found himself again before the Tokyo District Court, this time testifying in defense of financier Yoshiaki Murakami against charges of insider trading.

Murakami, 47, founder of Japan's best-known investment fund, has pleaded not guilty to charges of insider trading involving shares of Nippon Broadcasting System Inc.

Sentenced by the same court Friday to 2 1/2 years in prison for violating the Securities and Exchange Law, Horie testified that his decision to purchase NBS shares was made only just before the February 2005 buyout try.