Defendant: Yuri, Kei: former First Lieutenant, Japanese Imperial Army;
Commander of Prisoner of War Camp No. 17-B, Omuta, Fukuoka, Kyushu, Japan
Docket No./ Date: 2/ Dec. 27, 1945 - Jan. 7, 1946, Yokohama, Japan
Charge: 1. Violation of Laws and Customs of War - did, at Prisoner of
War Camp No. 17-B, Omuta, Fukuoka, Kyushu, Japan, between Aug. 1, 1943
and May 31, 1944, wilfully and unlawfully commit cruel and brutal atrocities
and other offenses against certain POW, and did unlawfully disregard and
fail to restrain and control members of his command from committing atrocities
and other offenses against POW.
Specifications:
Verdict: Guilty verdict upheld/Death by Hanging
Reviewing Authority's Recommendations: The Judge Advocate found that
there was nothing shown to "indicate that the accused was authorized
even by his own government to impose or execute the death penalty on anyone,
and he affirmatively showed that in neither instance were there circumstances
upon which to predicate the conclusion of justifiable homicide."
Reviewing Authority: Benjamin C. Willis, Captain, Assistant Staff Judge
Advocate
Prosecution Arguments:
Defense Arguments: 1. Superior Orders - had direct order not to follow
Geneva Convention rules 2. Treated POWs as Japanese soldiers are treated
3. No authority to punish his guards, but reported offenses to superiors.
Judge Advocate's Recommendations:
