Onoki Sentenced To 12 Years

Onoki's Arrest Mugshot

Ryota Onoki, who was arrested for attempted murder after steering his car onto a pavement and hitting 14 pedestrians in Nagoya in February 2014, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.

A victim being helped by paramedics

 The Nagoya District Court finalized the sentence yesterday.  Prosecutors said the incident occurred mid-afternoon close to the city’s central Nagoya Station and the driver was caught on the spot. Fourteen pedestrians were injured.

Onoki, who was unemployed, pleaded guilty and said he had tried to kill as many people as he could with his car.  Onoki said he was angered when his father, a former Aichi policeman, told him to either find work or move out of the home.

This young lady spoke to the court

A group of victims expressed frustration at the court at what they saw was a light sentence for Onoki.  One woman said, "I will always have to use a cane and I am only 27 years old.  My life is forever changed."  A man said to the court, "My left hand has no feeling at all.  I used to play guitar in a local band.  Now at 23, I see no future."

Onoki will be transferred to the Aichi Mens Corrections Facility in Toyota Shi on Tuesday to serve out his sentence.

The car Onoki drove