The Nagoya High Court has thrown out a request for a retrial from an ailing 88-year-old death-row inmate, his lawyers said Wednesday.
Masaru Okunishi was convicted in connection with the poisoning of 17 people at a local community meeting in Nabari, Mie Prefecture, on March 28, 1961. Five people, including Okunishi's wife, died after being poisoned with laced wine and another 12 fell ill.
The court's decision on Wednesday brought an end to Okunishi's eighth petition for a retrial. In its judgment, the court said he had no case for a retrial because the evidence and arguments presented were the same as in his previous application.