World Record Broken: Longest-Serving Death Row Inmate Exonerated

Japan's Longest-Serving Death Row Inmate Cleared

Hakamada was arrested, charged, and ultimately convicted of the quadruple murder, arson, and theft of 200,000 yen...

Iwao Hakamada, world's longest-serving death row inmate, acquitted in Japan after 50+ years.

Iwao Hakamada, a former Japanese professional boxer, has finally been acquitted of a quadruple murder conviction after spending over 50 years on death row, the longest tenure in the world. His acquittal on September 26, 2024, marks the end of one of Japan's most notable and longest-running legal battles, drawing immense public attention. Approximately 500 people gathered outside the Shizuoka courtroom, eager to witness the verdict.

Hakamada's conviction stemmed from the 1966 murder of his employer, the employer's wife, and their two teenage children. However, his lawyers argued that the evidence was circumstantial and potentially fabricated. Key pieces of evidence, including bloodstained clothing, were suspected to have been planted by investigators. The prosecution initially relied on Hakamada's confession, obtained through intense interrogation, but he later retracted it, claiming police brutality.

The case has sparked widespread debate about Japan's justice system, particularly the use of forced confessions and the death penalty. Amnesty International and the Japan Pro Boxing Association have been vocal supporters of Hakamada's innocence. The acquittal brings closure to Hakamada's family, particularly his sister, Hideko, who has tirelessly fought for his freedom.

Key Developments in the Case:

1966: Hakamada arrested and convicted of quadruple murder

2007: Norimichi Kumamoto, a judge from the original trial, publicly supports Hakamada's innocence

2014: Hakamada granted retrial and released from prison

2024: Hakamada acquitted of all charges

As the acquittal verdict was announced, Iwao Hakamada's supporters erupted in joy outside the courtroom, shouting “Banzai!” - a traditional Japanese expression of triumph and celebration.

Hakamada, however, was notably absent from the courtroom, having been excused from all hearings due to his deteriorating mental health. His prolonged incarceration and harsh conditions had taken a significant toll on his well-being.

Since his release in 2014, when he was granted a retrial, Hakamada has been living under the loving care of his devoted sister, Hideko. Her unwavering support and dedication have been instrumental in his fight for freedom.

In 1966, Iwao Hakamada, a former professional boxer, worked at a miso processing plant in Shizuoka, Japan. Tragedy struck when his employer, the employer's wife, and their two children were found brutally murdered in their home, which had been set ablaze. The victims suffered fatal stab wounds.

Hakamada was arrested, charged, and ultimately convicted of the quadruple murder, arson, and theft of 200,000 yen. Initially, he maintained his innocence, but later, under duress, he provided a confession. Hakamada claimed that investigators subjected him to severe beatings and prolonged interrogations, lasting up to 12 hours daily, coercing him into falsely admitting to the crimes.

The coerced confession was a pivotal piece of evidence in Hakamada's conviction. However, its validity has been widely disputed. Hakamada's lawyers and supporters argued that the confession was extracted through torture, rendering it unreliable. This case has raised concerns about Japan's justice system, specifically the use of forced confessions and the need for reform.

Case Timeline:

1966: Quadruple murder and arson occur in Shizuoka

1966: Hakamada arrested, charged, and convicted

1968: Hakamada sentenced to death

2014: Retrial granted due to suspicions of fabricated evidence

2024: Hakamada acquitted of all charges

In 1968, Iwao Hakamada received a death sentence for his alleged role in the gruesome 1966 quadruple murder and arson in Shizuoka, Japan.

A pivotal piece of evidence in the prosecution's case was bloodstained clothing discovered in a miso tank shortly after the bodies were found. However, Hakamada's lawyers consistently argued that the DNA on the garments did not match his, suggesting they belonged to someone else.

Furthermore, Hakamada's defense team raised concerns about potential evidence tampering by police investigators. They questioned the authenticity of the bloodstained clothing, implying it may have been planted to implicate Hakamada.

Key Evidence Disputes:

• Bloodstained clothing found in miso tank
• DNA on clothing didn't match Hakamada's
• Defense argued possible evidence fabrication by police

“The clothes were not those of the defendant,” Judge Murayama stated, casting doubt on key evidence and granting Hakamada a retrial.

He added, “It is unjust to detain the defendant further, as the possibility of his innocence has become clear to a respectable degree.”

Following Judge Hiroaki Murayama's 2014 ruling, Iwao Hakamada was released from prison and granted a retrial, offering a glimmer of hope for redemption.

The retrial commenced in 2023, after years of delays, and culminated in a verdict on Thursday, September 26, 2024. The Shizuoka District Court delivered its long-awaited judgment, bringing closure to Hakamada's decades-long ordeal.

In a landmark verdict, the Shizuoka District Court not only acquitted Iwao Hakamada of the quadruple murder charges but also exposed a grave miscarriage of justice. The judge ruled that the prosecution's key evidence was fabricated, vindicating Hakamada's decades-long claim of innocence.

Hakamada's lawyers and family revealed that his prolonged incarceration, largely spent in solitary confinement and under the constant threat of execution, has taken a devastating toll on his mental health. The 88-year-old former boxer's years of isolation and trauma have left him struggling with severe psychological distress.

Iwao Hakamada's devoted sister, 91-year-old Hideko, has tirelessly championed his innocence and fought for his freedom. Her unwavering dedication has been a beacon of hope throughout his ordeal.

When Hakamada's retrial began last year, Hideko expressed profound relief, saying: “Finally, a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.” Her words captured the emotional burden she had carried for decades, as she steadfastly supported her brother's quest for justice.