Nozomu Shinozaki, 22, from Yokohama, died Feb. 26 at the Columbus Academy, a school for Japanese youths with behavioral and learning problems.

Nine students, aged 17 to 26, are accused of his kidnapping, assault and murder.

The school's director, Soon Keu Kim -- also known as Katsuo Kanamori -- is also charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice by allegedly telling the students not to cooperate with the police inquiry.

Prosecutor Margaret Rogers told Monday's preliminary hearing that Kim, who came to New Zealand in 1994, charged families in Japan 36,000 New Zealand dollars ($21,000) per year to send their children to the special school.

Rogers said that at the time of Shinozaki's death, the students were living on school property in squalid and crowded conditions in the city's western suburbs. They had only basic food and toilet provisions, no fire safety and little or no supervision, she said.

Shinozaki arrived in New Zealand in 1998 and stopped receiving treatment for his autism, a developmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction.

Left unsupervised, he began thieving and starting fires, Rogers said.

On Feb. 25, Kim and the students confronted Shinozaki, who admitted the thefts and arson and apologized. But later that night the students took Shinozaki from his room and "interrogated" him.

One defendant is accused of kicking and punching Shinozaki 40 times, while two others allegedly hit him over the head and back with a steel chair. Other alleged weapons include a broom, teapot and pool cue.

The Japan Times: July 29, 2003
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