On December 23, the Nagano District Court sentenced Daisuke Maruyama, 50, the former Nagano Prefectural Assembly member, to 19 years in prison for the murder of his wife, Nozomi Maruyama, who was found deceased at their home and sake brewery on September 29, 2021. The prosecution had sought a 20-year sentence, arguing the crime was premeditated and driven by personal troubles, including infidelity and significant debt.
The court found Maruyama guilty of pressurizing his wife's neck, leading to her death. Despite his continued insistence on his innocence throughout the proceedings, exculpatory evidence was not present to support his claims. The case highlighted the accusations against him of attempting to maintain his extramarital relationship as the possible motivation for the murder.
The prosecution provided extensive circumstantial evidence, including surveillance footage showing what they argued was Maruyama's vehicle traveling between the Assembly hall and their residence around the time of the murder. A forensic analysis suggested it was likely Maruyama's car, but his defense team countered this by emphasizing the video's lack of clarity and disputing the identification of his vehicle.
Maruyama's alibi hinged on his alleged presence at the Nagano City Assembly hall preparing materials for the council meeting. Despite the absence of direct evidence linking him to the crime, the court found the circumstantial evidence compelling. The judge, Masafumi Sakata, remarked, “The images from the surveillance cameras clearly showed the defendant leaving the Assembly hall and returning around the time of the incident, establishing reasonable doubt against his claims of innocence.”
Key to the prosecution's narrative was Maruyama's motivation driven by personal relationships and his financial issues, which were reportedly severe. Allegations surfaced about his infidelity, where he was involved with another woman who desired to marry him. The court indicated these personal tensions created the potential for conflict leading to violence.
During the trial, it was revealed through various witness testimonies and presented notes by the victim detailing her struggles with her husband's infidelities and combined debts totaling approximately 80 million yen with hidden expectations creating hostility leading up to the tragic event.
Maruyama maintained through his testimony and statements, “I could never take my children's precious mother away from them.” He claimed the investigation was biased against him and dictated by interest-driven motives from the authorities.
After the verdict, Maruyama's defense team expressed disappointment, stating they believed the judgment leaned heavily on circumstantial evidence which they found lacking and inconsistent. His lawyer, Taishi Saito, voiced, “Each piece of circumstantial evidence is very weak, yet they have led to this guilty verdict. We find the framework of this judgment questionable.”
While the judge reflected on the severity of the crime, acknowledging the premeditated nature intertwined with Maruyama's attempts to cover his actions, the defense conveyed plans for appeal following the ruling. Maruyama himself expressed shock at the sentence, which he maintains is undeserved.
Many members of the media present at the trial expressed surprise at the verdict, the case having attracted significant attention due to the nature of the crime and the status of the defendant as a former assemblyman. This high-profile incident has opened discussions on domestic violence, the consequences of infidelity, and how such personal issues can spiral tragically.
So, as it stands, the case of Daisuke Maruyama shines light on the interplay between public roles, personal crises, and tragic outcomes. With his legal team signaling intentions to appeal, many will be closely following any developments as this case proceeds through the higher judicial system.
