Tokyo, Oct 24 (IANS): A Japanese court has ordered the retrial of a couple convicted for their daughter's death in 1995 and to suspend their life sentences, the media reported.
An 11-year-old girl died in Osaka city in 1995 when her home was destroyed by fire. She was taking a bath at that time, public broadcaster NHK reported.
The girl's mother, Keiko Aoki, and her husband, Tatsuhiro Boku, were convicted of arson and murder for the insurance money. They were sentenced to life.
They demanded a retrial, saying harsh interrogation tactics forced them to make false confessions.
In 2012, the Osaka District Court ordered a retrial, but prosecutors appealed the decision in the Osaka High Court. The high court endorsed the lower court decision on Friday.
The court also ordered the release of the pair on Monday, suspending their imprisonment.
Prosecutors filed an objection to the suspension of their term.