Hirakawa [Huakawa] Mitsuki and others

048
DATE OF CRIMES
April 1942
LOCATION OF CRIMES
Port Blair, Andaman Islands, India
DATE OF TRIAL
6, 10,11,12, and 14 June 1946
LOCATION OF TRIAL
Singapore
CASE INFORMATION
Case Summary

Lieutenants Hirakawa Mitsuki and Egami Masao had taken part in the beating and execution of a European civilian, Mr. Bird, on the orders of a superior. Prosecution witnesses testified that the accused had taken pleasure at the sight of the beating and execution, for example the accused had laughed.

For more information, see:

http://www.legal-tools.org/doc/1bef9d/

http://www.legal-tools.org/doc/359858/

http://www.legal-tools.org/doc/4d90ac/

http://www.legal-tools.org/doc/21b533/

 

CRIME LOCATION MAP
INTERESTING FACTS

This was a case of mistaken identity. Local Andaman residents had mistakenly identified Superior Petty Officer Shindo Hisataro as being involved in the crime. As a result, midway through trial the prosecution requested that the charges against Shindo be dropped, and the court withdrew the charges, acquitting Shindo.

LEGAL ACTORS
DEFENDANTS

Hirakawa, Mitsuki. Lieutenant. From Japanese military. From Japan. Guilty. 10 years' imprisonment. Sentence confirmed. 

Egami, Masao. Lieutenant. From Japanese military. From Japan. Guilty. 10 years' imprisonment. Sentence confirmed. 

Shindo, Hisataro. Superior Petty Officer. From Japanese military. From Japan. Acquitted. 

JUDGES

Smith, H.E.R. Lieutenant Colonel. From British military. Court President. 

Hebden, E.N. Major. From British military. 

Sahay, S.B. Captain. From British Indian Army. 

 

PROSECUTION

Peter, C.G. Lieutenant. From British military. Solicitor. 

DEFENCE LAWYERS

Fujita, Tetsuo. Civilian. Judge, Hiroshima District Court. 

Takahashi, Mikio. Civilian. Judge, Tokyo District Court. 

DEFENCE ADVISORY OFFICERS

Reichenbaum, E. (A.R.) Assistant Captain. From British military.