Man, 77, fit to be tried in family's murder

CHIBA (Kyodo) Prosecutors filed murder charges Thursday against a 77-year-old man for allegedly killing four members of his family, including his 4-year-old granddaughter, in Chiba Prefecture in June because they were neglecting to care for him.

The Chiba District Public Prosecutor's Office said psychiatric tests have shown that the man, Yoshio Kiuchi, is mentally competent to be held criminally liable for his acts.

Kiuchi was accused of fatally battering his 75-year-old wife, 49-year-old son, the son's 44-year-old wife, and the younger couple's 4-year-old daughter with an 80-cm hammer on the morning of June 24 at their home in Kashiwa.

Kiuchi has said he was in poor health since undergoing heart surgery and was upset with his family because they did not pay careful attention to him. He was also quoted as saying he decided to kill the 4-year-old girl so she would not have to live alone.

Under a court warrant, Kiuchi underwent psychiatric tests. Under the Penal Code, he faces death, life in prison or imprisonment for more than five years. Acts of insanity, however, are not punishable and acts committed while under diminished capacity can lead to reduced punishment.