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| Blackman verdict appeal under way | Blackman verdict appeal under way |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The first hearing in an appeal by prosecutors in Japan against the acquittal of the man accused of killing a British bar hostess has taken place. | The first hearing in an appeal by prosecutors in Japan against the acquittal of the man accused of killing a British bar hostess has taken place. |
| Joji Obara was cleared last April of any involvement in the death of Lucie Blackman, but was jailed for life for raping nine women, one of whom died. | Joji Obara was cleared last April of any involvement in the death of Lucie Blackman, but was jailed for life for raping nine women, one of whom died. |
| Obara is also seeking an acquittal on those counts. The appeal was adjourned until May after 30 minutes. | Obara is also seeking an acquittal on those counts. The appeal was adjourned until May after 30 minutes. |
| Miss Blackman, 21, of Sevenoaks, Kent, was found dead near Tokyo in 2001. | Miss Blackman, 21, of Sevenoaks, Kent, was found dead near Tokyo in 2001. |
| None of the Blackman family were in court as the appeal took place. | None of the Blackman family were in court as the appeal took place. |
| However, Miss Blackman's father Tim, who lives on the Isle of Wight, has said he fears the legal process will last for at least six months. | |
| 'Robbed of justice' | 'Robbed of justice' |
| In a statement, he said: "It would seem that this process could drag out for some time, and frankly after the last seven years, Sophie [Miss Blackman's sister] and I both need to carry on with our lives." | In a statement, he said: "It would seem that this process could drag out for some time, and frankly after the last seven years, Sophie [Miss Blackman's sister] and I both need to carry on with our lives." |
| During his trial, lawyers had claimed Obara had drugged and raped Miss Blackman before she died, and then chopped up her body and encased her head in concrete. | During his trial, lawyers had claimed Obara had drugged and raped Miss Blackman before she died, and then chopped up her body and encased her head in concrete. |
| But the judge said there was no proof the millionaire property developer alone was responsible for her death. | But the judge said there was no proof the millionaire property developer alone was responsible for her death. |
| After he was cleared of her killing, Miss Blackman's family said the former flight attendant had been "robbed of her justice". | After he was cleared of her killing, Miss Blackman's family said the former flight attendant had been "robbed of her justice". |