HOKKAIDO (TR) – An accomplice to a woman facing murder charges delivered damning testimony against the female defendant, telling a court here on Wednesday that she deliberately pushed a 17-year-old high school girl off a bridge to her death two years ago, reports Nippon News Network
Riko Uchida, 23, is currently on trial facing charges including murder and indecent assault resulting in death over the fatal plunge of the girl at the Kamuikotan scenic gorge in Asahikawa City.
During her first hearing, Uchida denied the murder charges, claiming she had no intent to kill and that she did not push the teenager. However, the trial’s third day at the Asahikawa District Court painted a starkly different and chilling picture of the victim’s final moments.
Taking the stand from behind a partition, 21-year-old Yuka Konishi — described as Uchida’s “underling” — directly contradicted Uchida’s defense.
“Riko pushed her around the shoulder blades with both hands,” Konishi testified, fighting back tears. “Her figure disappeared in an instant.”
“Die yourself”
Konishi, who was 19 at the time of the crime, has already been handed a 23-year prison term for her role in the murder.
The court heard that the two women relentlessly tormented the teenager as she stood on the bridge’s railing. Konishi admitted to verbally abusing the victim at least 20 times, shouting, “Hurry up and fall” and “Die yourself.”
She testified that Uchida also taunted the girl, ordering her to, “Fall by yourself, die quickly.”
According to Konishi, after the high schooler took a deep breath, Uchida shoved her. Konishi recalled seeing the victim’s hands desperately clinging to a rope below the bridge. About six seconds later, she lost her grip. A scream was heard, followed by a loud “bang.”
“Total nonsense”
The defense has maintained that Uchida left her mobile phone behind and walked away before the girl fell on her own, a claim Konishi fiercely rejected.
“Riko’s statement is total nonsense, it is all lies from beginning to end,” Konishi told the court. “The victim did not fall on her own. We are the only two who can speak the truth.”
When asked by the defense if she herself had intended to kill the teenager, Konishi was blunt.
“I believe there was murderous intent. In that situation, I think the victim had no other option but to die,” she said. “She had no choice but to obey our words.”
Uchida is scheduled to face questioning on Friday. The court will hand down its verdict on the June 22.
