Gangster acquitted in murder of boss, boss's wife

http://www.japantoday.com/jp/news/391136

Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at 16:22 EST

TOYAMA — The Toyama District Court on Tuesday acquitted a gangster indicted for killing his boss and the boss's wife in Takaoka, Toyama Prefecture. Prosecutors had sought the death sentence against Kumio Kurihara, 55, second-in-command of a gang group affiliated with the crime syndicate Yamaguchi-gumi, arguing he masterminded the murder of Shuhei Yabunaka, 56, and his wife at their home on July 13, 2000.

Kurihara was accused of conspiring with two other gang members, both of whom are appealing their death sentences to the Supreme Court, and killing the couple to protest Yabunaka's high-handed management of the gang.