"It would be impossible for me to do such a thing," Obara, 54, said, referring to the mutilation and burial of Blackman's body in a cave. Obara's lawyers claimed prosecutors have tried to hold him responsible for Blackman's death despite having no evidence.

Obara spoke for nearly two hours, arguing that investigators fabricated the physical evidence found buried with Blackman's body parts, while eliminating evidence in his favor.

But evidence against him has mounted over the six-year trial and put Obara's claims of innocence to a severe test. The verdict is scheduled for April 24.

The Japan Times Weekly: Dec. 16, 2006
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