Japanese Family Heads To Death Row

An entire family of four in Japan is heading for a reunion on death row after being convicted separately in a murder and robbery case.

A former gangster, Jitsuo Kitamura, 63, and son Takashi, 26, were sentenced to death today over the case in southern Fukuoka prefecture. Kitamura's wife Mami, 47, and other son Takahiro, 22, were sentenced to death in October. Judges have now ruled that the entire family was responsible for the murder in 2004 of 58-year-old Sayoko Takami, her two sons, and a friend of one of the sons. The motive was that the Kitamura's were trying to steal cash and jewels. The parents "concluded that they could not carry out the murder alone and included their sons, Takashi and Takahiro, in the murder plan," said Judge Masayoshi Takahara.

"The criminal acts were cruel and vicious, showing no respect for human life, and the motives were extremely egotistical," he said. "I have to say the defendants' rehabilitation would be difficult." There was no immediate word on whether the family would be able to see one another behind bars. Lawyers for the mother and son sentenced in October have appealed their sentences. According to the criminal charges, in September 2004, the father and mother strangled Ms. Takami to death and took 260,000 yen ($2,200) in cash before shooting Takami's eldest son and his friend. The two sons allegedly killed Takami's 15-year-old second son and stole jewels.