Fitial condoles death of Miura

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial yesterday conveyed his condolences to the family of Japanese businessman Kazuyoshi Miura, who committed suicide in a Los Angeles jail shortly after his extradition from Saipan last weekend.

Fitial in a statement also expressed relief that the suicide did not occur under the watch of the local government. He praised the CNMI Office of the Attorney General and the CNMI Department of Corrections “for properly handling this case in a professional manner pursuant to law, affording Mr. Kazuyoshi Miura all of the rights and protections he was entitled to under CNMI law. “

“I am especially thankful for the careful precautions, procedures, discipline, and professionalism of our CNMI Department of Corrections staff for ensuring that this type of tragedy did not occur on CNMI soil through any form of negligence,” the governor said.

“I pray for the soul of Mr. Kazuyoshi Miura and I send my deepest condolences to his wife and family,” he added.

While passing no opinion on Miura’s guilt or innocence in the late wife-murder suspect, Fitial noted that the criminal case has “captivated [the] interest and attention” of many people in the CNMI, including those who were not initially aware of the facts and the circumstances surrounding Miura’s indictment.

“We were amazed by the enormous Japanese media attention this case brought to our islands and, as our government lawfully and dutifully processed California’s extradition request, many of our citizens could not help but closely follow the case. And as a result of our islands’ involvement in the case, I believe it is fair to say that many people in the CNMI were shocked by the recent turn of events following Mr. Miura’s entry into Los Angeles,” he said.

Like many people in Japan, Fitial said, many of the local residents had expected a full trial to determine Mr. Miura’s guilt or innocence and put a proper end to the case.

“From the beginning, however, our government had no official opinion of Mr. Miura’s guilt or innocence,” he said. “Our government’s sole interest in this case was to assist California law enforcement authorities in its pursuit of justice and to follow the requirements of law. Because we respect the judicial process and the sensitivity of this case to the people of Japan, we are disappointed that the matter will not be properly adjudicated in California’s courts of law.”

Miura was arrested at the Saipan airport on Feb. 22, 2008 for the killing of his wife in Los Angeles in 1981. For seven months, he fought his extradition to California, where he had been cleared of murder but was still facing a charge for conspiracy to commit murder.

After losing the extradition case in the CNMI Superior and Supreme courts, he brought the legal battle to the U.S. District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands. On Sept. 29, 2008, he gave up on the extradition case and vowed to continue his fight in California. Escorted by detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department, Miura left Saipan early Friday morning and arrived in Los Angeles on the same day (LA time). Less than 24 hours later, he was reportedly found hanging in his cell.

Miura’s case has long been a high-profile saga in Japan, where Miura was dubbed “the Japanese O.J. Simpson.” His extradition had drawn journalists to Los Angeles from dozens of foreign media outlets, some from as far away as Bangkok, Thailand, Tokyo and Saipan, the U.S. territory Miura had been visiting when he was taken into custody in February.

Mark Geragos, Miura’s attorney, who spoke from New York, said he was notified of his client’s death about 12:15 a.m. Saturday by the district attorney’s office. “None of this makes any sense,” Geragos said.

He said a lawyer had visited with Miura earlier and that he was in good spirits, complaining only about a little back pain. “There was no indication that he was despondent or depressed,” Geragos said. “There was no indication whatsoever of problems.

“He was ready and girded for the fight,” Geragos said of his client.

Geragos said he will demand an independent investigation. He said he was upset because he had not “gotten a straight or cogent explanation about what happened.”

According to California Minimum Jail Standards, cell inspections are required every 30 minutes. Based on preliminary information, authorities said that detention officers assigned to the portion of the jail housing Miura had conducted a required cell check and found nothing unusual. About 10 minutes later, an officer passing Miura’s cell “saw what Miura had done,” Beck said.

The officer immediately requested help, and along with two other officers rushed into the cell to administer CPR to Miura. Medical personnel from the jail dispensary assisted them.

Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded as well to continue life-saving efforts.

Beck said the department’s Force Investigation Division would conduct a “thorough investigation,” which will be reviewed by Chief William J. Bratton, the department’s Inspector General and the Los Angeles Police Commission. The County Coroner’s office will also investigate the cause of death.

Miura was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday on a charge of conspiracy to commit murder.

Prosecutors believe Miura conspired to kill his wife and collect $750,000 in life insurance payments, possibly by signaling someone to shoot, although no one else has been charged in connection with the shooting. (With the Los Angeles Times)