UTSUNOMIYA, Tochigi Pref. (Kyodo) In a courtroom showdown Friday, a former prosecutor refused to apologize for the interrogation that led Toshikazu Sugaya to apparently falsely confess to the murder of a 4-year-old girl.
Instead of offering an apology to Sugaya, 63, who spent 17 years in prison for the 1990 murder in Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture, former prosecutor Daiji Morikawa said, "At the time, there were no elements that made us doubt you were the culprit."
Sugaya also asked Morikawa during the fifth session of his retrial at the Utsunomiya District Court: "I have been held for a long time for a crime I never committed. What do you think of that?"
Morikawa said he takes the matter "very seriously."
Another highlight of Friday's session was when an audiotape of the interrogation on Dec. 8, 1992, was played in court, revealing the exchange between the two men when Sugaya made the confession.
On the tape, Morikawa is heard presenting Sugaya with DNA test results that matched his DNA with body fluid found in the underwear of the victim, and asking, "How do you explain this? Why don't you look into my eyes?"
Sugaya, who had denied any involvement the previous day, went silent for a moment, then responded, "I'm sorry. Please forgive me."
Morikawa asked, "Do I have your word (of your involvement in the crime)?" to which Sugaya responded, "Yes. I'm sorry."
Sugaya was freed last June from prison after fresh evidence indicating his innocence arose from new DNA tests.