On the record, police investigating the case that has transfixed Japan's chattering classes are not commenting on Suzuka Hatakeyama.
But they are leaking enough information for the tabloids to make their minds up on the woman accused of murdering seven-year-old Goken Yoneyama last month.
In a statement released through her lawyers, Hatakeyama, 33, has confessed to killing Goken and dumping his body beside a river near the town of Fujisato.
She claims she acted on impulse because she was still devastated by the drowning in April of her own daughter, Ayaka, nine, who was found dead in the same river. Ayaka's death was initially classified as an accident, although Hatakeyama had lobbied hard for the case to be reopened.
Ironically, now it has - but only in light of Hatakeyama's suspected killing of Goken.
Police doubt the woman acted on impulse, noting that she put on gloves immediately before strangling Goken with a kimono cord.