The building where the Osaka District Court is housed is seen in Osaka's Kita Ward in this file photo. (Mainichi)

       OSAKA (Kyodo) -- A 35-year-old man was sentenced Tuesday to 12 years in prison by a Japanese court for stabbing a police officer and stealing his handgun in Osaka Prefecture in 2019.

       The mental capacity of Yujiro Iimori, who was accused of attempted murder and robbery, was a major issue in the trial held at the Osaka District Court in western Japan.

       Lay judges reached the conclusion that Iimori, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia by two psychiatrists before and after his indictment, should be held accountable for his conduct.

       Prosecutors had sought a 13-year prison term, saying Iimori acted based on his own judgement though his capacity was somewhat limited by the mental illness.

       The defense team had claimed the accused was not guilty as he was mentally incapable at the time of the crime.

       According to the indictment, Iimori stabbed Suzunosuke Kose, 28, in his chest and other parts with a kitchen knife at a police box in Suita and stole his gun in the early morning of June 16, 2019.

       Iimori was carrying the gun and four bullets when he was caught in a mountainous area not far from the crime scene the following day. Kose, who suffered several stab wounds, fell into a coma but has since recovered and returned to work in January 2020.

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