An unusual case has caught the public's attention in Japan, where a man accused of voyeurism at a train station was acquitted due to a peculiar personal inclination. The incident, which occurred around 2007, before the proliferation of smartphones, became a topic of debate after being mentioned on a popular television show.

The original case

The accuseda 24-year-old man who worked part-time, He was arrested at a train station on suspicion of photographing up a woman's skirt while they were both on an escalator. The victim confronted the man at the scene who, in a moment of panic, admitted to having done what he had done.

However, during the trial, the defendant changed his statement, denying any act of voyeurism. His lawyer presented a surprising argument: the defendant had no sexual interest in women, but rather in Mobile Suit Gundam, popular anime and manga characters.

Evidence of his inclination

The defense conducted a thorough investigation, including a review of the defendant's video rental habits. All of the videos rented were anime, predominantly from the Mobile Suit Gundam series. Furthermore, the contents of the defendant's cell phone were reviewed and no compromising images were found. The lawyer argued that the man was engrossed in the footage of Mobile Suit Gundam on his phone at the time of the incident.

Despite this defense, the defendant was found guilty at the first trial. The main reason was his initial admission of guilt during his arrest.

An unexpected twist: diagnosis and acquittal

Determined to seek justice, the defendant's lawyer appealed the decision. During the appeal, it was discovered that the man may have Asperger's syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder. This condition explained his behavior and initial response during arrest.

A Rorschach test was performed, a psychological test in which abstract images are presented to assess the subject's mental state. The defendant identified all the images as Pokémon characters, further reinforcing his disinterest in voyeurism and his obsession with anime.

The final verdict

On appeal, the court acknowledged the defendant's peculiar inclination and medical condition. The court concluded that the man had no sexual interest in women and that his initial confession was a result of his condition.. Finally, he was found innocent.

The comedian and court observer, Asozan Daifunka (阿曽山大噴火)who presented the case on the program, highlighted the importance of remaining calm and not admitting guilt if the crime was not committed. “When you haven't done something, you must insist on your innocence.“Daifunka commented, highlighting a crucial lesson derived from this unusual case.

Source: ABEMA TIMES