OKAYAMA (Kyodo) The Okayama District Court sentenced a woman to 4 1/2 years in prison Friday for causing the death of her son by force-feeding him hot pepper powder two years ago.
The three-judge panel found that Miyuki Mitsunaka, 33, forced "shichimi togarashi" seven-flavor chili pepper powder into the mouth and throat of her son, Kakeru, 4, at their home in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, on Jan. 3, 2007, causing the boy to choke to death.
"The defendant acted in an outrageous and cruel manner due to her violent temper," according to presiding Judge Mitsuaki Takayama.
He brushed aside the defendant's argument that the boy had put the powder in his mouth himself, saying it was unbelievable someone that young would do such a thing.
Mitsunaka had been charged with inflicting injuries on her son resulting in death. She had pleaded not guilty, while prosecutors had sought a prison term of seven years.
Mitsunaka denied the allegations in court and claimed she had found her son with his mouth all red from the powder.
Shichimi togarashi is a traditional spice mixture whose main ingredient is red chili pepper.