In the trial of a woman accused of causing a female high school student to fall from a bridge in Asahikawa City, Hokkaido, resulting in her death, the defendant was questioned on June 4. The woman stated, “While I did not directly push her off the bridge, there is no doubt that our words and actions cornered the female high school student and led to her death.”
The defendant, Riko Uchida, is charged with murder and other crimes. She is accused of stripping a female high school student from Rumoi City naked on April 2024 at the Kamui Bridge in Asahikawa City, making her sit on the bridge railing, and telling her to “fall” and “die,” causing her to fall into the river and die.
During the trial on June 4, Uchida apologized to the victim’s family for the first time, saying, “I am truly sorry for hurting the female high school student, causing her suffering, and taking away her future life through my selfish and unreasonable actions.”
However, when asked by the prosecutor about the intent of her apology, she said, “While I did not directly push her off the bridge, there is no doubt that our words and actions cornered the female high school student and led to her death.”
Furthermore, when asked, “Does this not constitute murder?” Uchida replied, “I cannot know whether it constitutes murder until a verdict is reached.”
During the questioning on June 3, she stated, “I think it is natural for people to say I had murderous intent,” and regarding her state of mind before heading to the bridge, she said, “I think I was so angry that I would have stabbed her if I had a knife.”
In previous trials, Uchida has denied the charges of murder, and the key point of contention is whether there was an act of murder and murderous intent.
The prosecution’s sentencing request is scheduled for June 8, and the verdict is expected on June 22.
