Amari Yaekuchi and others
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DATE OF CRIMES
On or about 19 August 1945
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LOCATION OF CRIMES
Kerion Rangsang Island, Netherlands East Indies (present-day Indonesia)
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DATE OF TRIAL
23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 30 July 1946
1 August 1946 |
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LOCATION OF TRIAL
Singapore
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Case Summary
The defendants were part of a landing party that arrived at Kerion Rangsang Island on 19 August 1945, where at they fired and killed two Malay policemen. The defendants were apparently deserters from the Japanese Imperial Army and were afraid of being exposed and caught by the Kempeitai. Four out of five of the defendants were originally sentenced to death by hanging but received reduced sentences to 15 years' penal servitude. The one remaining defendant was found not guilty.
For more information see:
http://www.legal-tools.org/doc/0d0b17/
Defendant Naotake Okuda had made fiscal donations to St. Joseph's Institution. He had an extensive list of local residents attesting to his good character and kindess in a petition to the Government of Singapore to plead leniency with regard to his sentence.
DEFENDANTS
Amari, Yaekuchi. Chief Petty Officer. From Japanese military. From Japan. Guilty. Death by hanging. Sentence commuted. 15 years' penal servitude.
Yamaguchi, Shigeuchi. Civilian. From Japan. Not guilty
Okuda, Naotake. Civilian. From Singapore. Guilty. Death by hanging. Sentence commuted. 15 years' penal servitude.
Isamo, Masayoshi. Civilian. From Japan. Guilty. Death by hanging. Sentence commuted. 15 years' penal servitude.
Yoshii, Keisuke. Civilian. From Japan. Guilty. Death by hanging. Sentence commuted. 15 years' penal servitude.
JUDGES
Blacklock, E. N. Lieutenant Colonel. From British military. Court president. Solicitor.
Holland, E. L. Major. From British military.
Hebden, E. N. Major. From British military.
PROSECUTION
Southall, A. P. Major. From British military.
DEFENCE LAWYERS
Okubo, Hirotake. Criminal Court Judge, Japan.
DEFENCE ADVISORY OFFICERS
Everard, E.T. Captain. From British military.