2nd lay judge trial gives man 4 1/2 years for attempted murder

SAITAMA, Japan - Three lay judges, including Kenji Kikuchi (2nd from R), and Michihiko Sassa (far R), a substitute candidate for lay judges, at the second trial involving such judges under Japan's new criminal trial system on Aug. 12 attend a press conference at the Saitama District Court after the trial. They gave an unsuspended sentence of four-and-a-half years to a man who attempted to kill a male acquaintance in the prefecture. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)