Kozo Okamoto, the Japanese gunman who was sentenced to life imprisonment for his part in the May 30 Lydda Airport massacre, went berserk in his cell and was chained to his bed by his legs, prison officials reported today. His hands are free, they added, and he is spending much of his time writing lengthy letters to his family. The letters are being sent to the Japanese Embassy for transmittal to Japan.
Max Kritzman, the killer’s defense attorney, visited Okamoto on Friday but Okamoto refused to talk to Tasuko Matsuo, the Japanese lawyer who came to Israel at the request of Okamoto’s family. Later Okamoto agreed to see Matsuo tomorrow. Israeli officials agreed to a meeting between Matsuo and Okamoto after the Israeli ambassador in Japan recommended such a meeting. Matsuo had been asked to persuade Okamoto to express regret at his part in the Lydda carnage.
Kritzman told Okamoto at the visit Friday that if the gunman would express regret there would be a basis for an appeal against his life sentence but apparently Okamoto was adhering to his refusal to do so, Kritzman said after the meeting it was his impression that Okamoto had dropped his wish to commit suicide. Matsuo brought to Israel gifts, religious objects and books from the gunman’s family.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
