Man acquitted in bar hostess’ death
A Tokyo court acquitted a Japanese real estate developer in the death and dismemberment of a British bar hostess, but sentenced him to life in prison for a series of rapes, a court official said.
Joji Obara, 54, was arrested in 2001 on charges of rape resulting in the death of the Briton, Lucie Blackman. He was also on trial in connection with nine other rapes, including that of Australian Carita Ridgway, who died after a 1992 attack.
The court could not immediately clarify whether rape victims under the conviction included Blackman.
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