Defense team for Japan's "Twitter Killer" appeals death penalty

The defense team for a man dubbed Japan's "Twitter killer" appealed Friday against the death penalty handed down earlier this week over the 2017 serial murders of nine people who posted suicidal thoughts on social media.The move came despite Takahiro Shiraishi, 30, having said during his trial at the Tachikawa branch of the Tokyo District Court that he would not appeal his sentence, even if given the death penalty. He had pleaded guilty to all charges against him.Related coverage:Japan's "Twitter killer" sentenced to death over 2017 serial murdersREAD FULL ARTICLE