Murder of Nicola Furlong

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Nicola Furlong
Nicola Furlong
Born17 December 1990 (1990-12-17)
Ireland
Died24 May 2012 (2012-05-25) (aged 21)
Tokyo
Cause of deathHomicide
Resting placeCurracloe, Co Wexford
EducationDublin City University
Occupation(s)Student (Business and Languages)
Known forMurder victim

Nicola Furlong was an

African American man, Richard Hinds, was later convicted of her murder and sentenced to a minimum of 5 years in prison. A memorial, located in Ardcavan, County Wexford, was erected in her memory in 2018.[1]

Background

Nicola Furlong was a student (Business and Japanese) at

Shinjuku if they wished to stay over, however the women declined.[5]

Death of Nicola Furlong

The group thereafter arrived at the Scramble bar in Shibuya, where Furlong and her friend bought the men a round of drinks out of gratitude. Hinds and Blackston then bought shots of

sexually assaulting Furlong's unconscious friend while both men are laughing and discussing having sex with the pair.[6] Hinds was recorded saying: "We can fuck them", with Blackston being recorded replying: "We are going to fuck them and leave them in my room."[7]

When the taxi arrived at the hotel Furlong and her friend were too

wheelchairs to get them out of the taxi.[8] Hinds and Blackston then took the pair to separate rooms on the upper floors. At around 3:20 am, the hotel duty manager went to Hind's room to investigate a complaint of loud noise, and on entering the room he saw Furlong laying on the floor. Noticing her lips had turned white and she did not appear to be breathing, he attempted emergency resuscitation.[9] An ambulance was then called to transport Furlong and her friend to a nearby medical facility, and shortly after 3:55 am Furlong was pronounced dead in the emergency room of Tokyo Medical University hospital.[10] On 24 May 2012, Nicki Minaj posted on her Twitter feed to express sadness over the murder of Furlong and to offer "love & prayers" to her family back in Ireland.[11][12]

Hinds and Blackston were arrested at the scene and brought to a

Kofu a few months previously.[18]

Trial

On 4 March 2013 at the

death penalty if found guilty, in practice capital punishment in Japan was reserved for crimes that resulted in multiple murder victims.[20]

In their opening statements, prosecutions accused Hinds of strangling Furlong to death with a towel after getting her drunk and possibly drugging her with an intent to commit rape, whereas defence lawyers suggested she actually died of a self induced overdose of alcohol and drugs. While Hinds had admitted to lightly pressing on her neck while they had what he claimed was consensual sex, he denied intentionally killing her.[21]

Prosecution Submissions

Testifying for the

strangulation, and rejected suggestions by defence lawyers that alcohol played any role in her death. Doctor Yoshida added that Furlong died a slow and painful death over several minutes, and scratch marks made by the victim herself as she fought back indicated she was in great distress as she was murdered. Evidence indicated that a towel has used to strangle Furlong, not someone's bare hands.[10]

Doctor Kenta Aida, who had treated Furlong in the hospital

emergency room, also gave evidence of administering injections of adrenaline in an attempt to revive her, as well as performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and inserting a plastic tube into her throat to keep her airways open.[10] These were the reasons for puncture wounds being found on Furlong's body and traces of lidocaine (used to lubricate the breathing tube) being found in her blood, and were not indications of recreational drug use.[22][10]

Furlong's friend gave evidence via audio link, and described how the two women strongly declined Hinds offer to come back to their hotel on the night in question, as they both had long term boyfriends back in Ireland.[23] Frequently breaking down into tears, she also testified that after drinking a shot of tequila the two men had bought for her she had a total memory blackout until she woke up in hospital the next morning, something that had never happened to her before in her life from drinking alcohol, which lead her to believe her drink was spiked with a date rape drug.[5]

Defence Submissions

Giving evidence in his own defence, Hinds claimed he was only concerned for the welfare of Furlong and her friend and had no other intention but to bring them back to the hotel to get some rest. When the

cross examination, the prosecutor asked Hinds to explain when he meant when he was recorded saying "I can't wait to get ATM". Hinds insisted he was merely telling Blackston he would get cash from the automated teller machine to pay him back for drinks, however the prosecution asserted that he was actually referring to the pornography slang term 'ass to mouth', which was a clear indication of his intent to rape Miss Furlong.[26][7]

Hinds testified that he put his hands around Furlong's neck after she refused his sexual advances, and that he had no intention to kill her. However, his version of events was rejected by the

security camera, as was the entrance of the two women to the hotel in wheelchairs being pushed by the two men.[27][28]
[29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34]

Closing Statements

alcoholic drug user who had dressed inappropriately to attract attention. The statements were so harrowing that several of the judges began to cry as they were read out.[26]

Lead prosecutor Kenji Horikoshi demanded a five-to-10-year jail sentence as punishment for Hinds, declaring that had shown no remorse and had "violated Nicola's dignity" with his false portrayal of her as a sexually aggressive woman. Defence lawyer Kenji Hattori countered that there was not enough evidence to convict Hinds of murder, and that testimony given by Doctor Kenichi Yoshida was prejudiced in favour of the prosecution.[36]

When offered the opportunity to address the court, Hinds instead spoke directly to Furlongs parents in an effort to downplay the result of his actions. After objections by prosecutors, Hinds then addressed the judges and claimed to firmly believe he was not ultimately responsible for Furlong's death.[36]

Verdict & Sentencing

On 19 March 2013, Hinds was found guilty and sentenced to five-to-ten years prison with labour for the murder of Nicola Furlong.[37][38] Presiding Judge Masaharu Ashizawa disregarded Hinds's testimony of an accidental death in its entirety, countering that the fact it took Furlong several minutes to die from strangulation was a clear indication of murderous intent. The judge also noted that Hinds had shown absolutely no remorse for the murder of Furlong and instead had "consistently dishonoured" her in an effort to escape conviction.[39] Judge Ashizawa stated that the court was satisfied that Hinds took an incapacitated Furlong to his room with an intent to commit rape, and when she suddenly regained consciousness and fought back Hinds then strangled her using either a hotel towel or his own tank top.[40]

In a separate trial, James Blackston was found guilty of the sexual assault of Furlong's friend and another Brazilian woman, and was sentenced to three years in prison with labour.[41] Judge Masayuki Yamada remarked that there was no evidence of consent and that Blackston had taken advantage of a victim who was not able to resist.[7] Both women described blacking out after drinking a tequila shot provided to them by Blackston.[42]

Incarceration and Release of Hinds

Hinds was detained in

deported to the United States on a commercial flight.[48]

Post Trial Developments

Shortly after returning to Ireland, the Furlong family announced they would launch a

civil action against the Keio Plaza Hotel and sue for negligence, alleging they broke Japanese law by not checking if Nicola was on the guest register and allowing Hinds to bring her up to his room in a wheelchair while unconcious.[8]

In late 2015, James Blackston appeared as a backing dancer in the video for the Chris Brown single "Wrist", and in early 2016 Blackston posted on Instagram to thank all those who supported him when he was incarcerated in Japan, while simultaneously dismissing the case as "an unfortunate imbroglio all around".[49][41]

In 2023, Richard Hinds posted pictures on his

Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles and playing piano at the Faith Covenant Church in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee.[51] Hinds had earlier confirmed in a radio interview with 92.7 FM that he planned to go on tour as a pianist.[52]

References

  1. ^ Kelleher, Olivia (11 January 2022). "Father of Nicola Furlong dreads imminent release of her killer". BreakingNews.ie. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  2. ^ "Nicola stood for all that's good". Irish Independent. 29 May 2012. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  3. ^ "Nicola Furlong: Suspects being held by Tokyo police linked to hip-hop star AI". Irish Independent. 5 June 2012. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  4. ^ "Richard Hinds guilty of Nicola Furlong murder in Tokyo". BBC News. 19 March 2013. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  5. ^ a b c Gilhooly, Rob (7 March 2013). "Nicola's friend breaks down in court". Irish Examiner. Tokyo. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  6. ^ Sherrard, Chris (6 March 2013). "Dad haunted by images of fateful night". Irish Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  7. ^ a b c McNiell, David (24 March 2013). "Crime and Punishment". The Times. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
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  10. ^ a b c d Murphy, Paul (5 March 2013). "Nicola Furlong died 'slow, painful death': doctor". Irish Independent. Tokyo. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  11. ^ "Nicki Minaj pays tribute to Nicola killed after concert". Irish Independent. 31 May 2012. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  12. ^ "Nicki Minaj". Twitter. 31 May 2012. Archived from the original on 2024-02-09.
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  15. ^ "Chapter XXII, Article 178: Quasi Forcible Indecency". Japanese Law Translation. Ministry of Justice, Japan. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
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  17. ^ Roberts, Christine (15 June 2012). "U.S. church pianist arrested for murder of Irish exchange student in Tokyo". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
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  27. ^ O'Connell, Edel (16 June 2012). "Christian musician killed Nicola for refusing sexual advance, say police". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
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  29. ^ Newcomb, Alyssa (16 June 2012). "Japan Murder Arrest: American Teenager Likely to Remain Behind Bars". ABC News. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  30. ^ Hilliard, Mark (15 June 2012). "Memphis Christian musician Richard Hinds (19) suspected of killing Nicola Furlong". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
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  33. ^ Lah, Kyung (15 June 2012). "American arrested in death of Irish woman in Tokyo hotel room". CNN. Archived from the original on 2013-06-07. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
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  39. ^ Murphy, Paul; Hogan, Louise (20 March 2013). "Hinds jailed after spinning web of lies". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
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  41. ^ a b "'It was unfortunate imbroglio all around' – man who sexually abused friend of murdered student Nicola Furlong". Irish Independent. 4 January 2016. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
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  44. ^ Murphy, Paul (20 March 2013). "A place of discipline, frostbite and hard labour". Irish Independent. Tokyo. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
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  46. ^ O'Connor, Niall (20 March 2013). "A freezing silent hell for inmates". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
  47. ^ Pepper, Maria (23 January 2018). "Nicola's dad hopes her killer is kept in prison". Wexford People. Archived from the original on 2018-06-13. Retrieved 2024-02-10 – via PressReader.
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  49. ^ McGowan, Sharon (4 January 2016). "Dancer who sexually assaulted murder victim's friend brands case 'unfortunate' in Instagram post". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
  50. ^ "Rich Hinds". Facebook. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  51. ^ Begley, Ian (5 January 2023). "Man who killed Irish student Nicola is back making music videos in US". Evoke. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  52. ^ O'Connell, Patrick (4 September 2023). "Nicola Furlong's 'remorseless' killer Richard Hinds back touring as musician". Sunday World. Retrieved 2024-02-09.

External links

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