Key Facts
• March 19, 1986: A middle school girl was murdered in her home in Fukui City.
• Akio Maekawa, 21 at the time, was arrested and later sentenced to 7 years.
• Initial trial: Acquitted; Second trial: Reversed to guilty with a 7-year sentence.
• Maekawa served his sentence but consistently maintained his innocence.
• October 2022: Second retrial approved by the court.
• March 2025: Defense presented new evidence denying Maekawa’s involvement.
• Prosecution relied on previous evidence, increasing the likelihood of acquittal.
• July 18, 2025, 2:00 PM: Verdict to be delivered at Nagoya High Court Kanazawa Branch.
Summary
The retrial of Akio Maekawa, convicted in a 1986 murder case involving a middle school girl in Fukui City, is set to conclude today at the Nagoya High Court Kanazawa Branch. Maekawa, who served a 7-year sentence but has consistently claimed innocence, was granted a second retrial in October 2022. During the March 2025 proceedings, his defense team presented new evidence refuting his involvement, while the prosecution relied on prior evidence. This has significantly increased the likelihood of an acquittal. The verdict will be announced at 2:00 PM today.
