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Prosecutors Appeal to Japan's Top Court in 'Don Juan' Meth-Poisoning Acquittal

The move triggers a Supreme Court review of an acquittal that turned on reasonable doubt rather than a lack of suspicious clues.

Overview

  • The Osaka High Public Prosecutors Office filed a Supreme Court appeal challenging the Osaka High Court’s not-guilty ruling for former wife Sudo Saaki.
  • Deputy chief prosecutor Yoshihiko Hatanaka said the office appealed to seek a proper judgment at the highest court.
  • Wealthy businessman Nozaki Kosuke, known as the 'Don Juan of Kishu,' died in May 2018 at his home in Tanabe from acute methamphetamine poisoning.
  • Lower courts acquitted Sudo after finding the evidence did not prove she administered a fatal dose and noting the possibility Nozaki obtained the drug himself.
  • The Osaka High Court on March 23 upheld the acquittal despite citing suspicious signs such as a prior web search for 'meth overdose,' and the Supreme Court has not announced a schedule for its review.