Prosecutors want 70-year-old Japanese ‘black widow’ serial killer to be sentenced to death
Chisako Kakehi accused of murdering husband, two common-law partners and later trying to kill another male acquaintance by having them drink cyanide between 2007 and 2013
Prosecutors requested Tuesday the death penalty for a 70-year-old woman, dubbed Japan’s “black widow”, charged with the murders of her husband and two common-law partners and the attempted murder of an acquaintance between 2007 and 2013.
Describing Chisako Kakehi’s alleged crimes as “heinous and serious incidents that are rarely seen,” the prosecutors said in their closing arguments at the Kyoto District Court that the victims – all elderly men – inadvertently drank cyanide given to them by a debt-ridden Kakehi who was endeavouring to inherit their assets.
Kakehi has become notorious because of the case, drawing comparisons with the spider that kills its mate after copulation.
The court was expected to hand down a ruling on November 7, with the defence making its closing statements on Wednesday.
Prosecutors said Kakehi was mentally competent and can be held responsible for her crimes, which “were premeditated”.
Her “cognitive function has not significantly deteriorated as shown in her psychiatric evaluation,” and that she had no mental disorders at the time of the crimes, they said.
Kakehi denied the charges and pleaded not guilty.