Japanese man on trial for murdering woman to recreate video game killings

The authorities say they are expecting a ruling on Nov 29.

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Japanese prosecutors argued on Tuesday regarding a case of a 20-year-old man who allegedly murdered a woman to recreate virtual killings seen in video games in August 2015. The authorities are expecting a ruling on Nov 29.

The Japan Times reported that the man, who cannot be named as he was underage at the time of the crime, had pleaded guilty last year of murdering Erika Konno, a 31-year-old beautician in Hokkaido.

Reports said the man lived in the same building as the victim. On 3 August 2015 morning, he reportedly broke into Konno's house and stabbed her to death. After committing the crime, he partially burnt her body by setting serviettes on fire.

"He committed the crime after deciding that he wanted to kill someone with a knife the way he would in video games to see how he would change as a person," the prosecutors told The Japan Times.

According to the prosecutors, despite a slight mental disability, the man is responsible for his actions.

Reports said that he became obsessed with death and corpses while he was in high school.

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