In a high-profile case in Aichi's Akai Town, the Nagoya District Court sentenced 40-year-old Masaya Otani to life imprisonment for the robbery and murder of 52-year-old Haruhiko Hayashi. The court, led by Judge Yoshiyuki Sakamoto, emphasized the brutal nature of the crime, highlighting the defendant's significant criminal responsibility as it involved the cold-blooded murder of a man and the theft of his vehicle. Otani was charged with serious offenses including robbery and murder, which the prosecution argued were premeditated acts driven by financial desperation, given his existing debts.

During the trial, Otani's defense claimed he was not involved in Hayashi's murder, asserting his innocence and contesting the evidence against him. However, the court relied on forensic evidence, including Otani's fingerprints found on tape used to bind the victim's body, corroborated by testimonies from a former partner who claimed he detailed the crime's circumstances to her. These findings led the court to conclude that Otani, after killing Hayashi in a violent confrontation when he was discovered attempting to steal, attempted to cover up his crime afterwards by impersonating Hayashi in communications with the victim's employer.

The judge noted the defendant's actions after the murder, including his attempts to mislead others and evade responsibility, as particularly reprehensible. The announcement of the life sentence was, therefore, a reflection of the gravity of the crime, with the defense indicating plans to appeal the ruling, suggesting further legal battles may lie ahead for Otani and his legal team.