It's a Japanese tale of intrigue that has consumed Los Angeles police and Japanese media for the past two decades. The 61-year-old man allegedly hired a hit man in 1981 to shoot and kill his wife while they were vacationing in Los Angeles so that he could collect $750,000 in life insurance money.
He was convicted of murder in Japan, but the verdict was overturned. Now, L.A. authorities say they have the legal right to try Miura in the United States for conspiracy to murder.
"We carry the torch for the victim," said LAPD Det. Rick Jackson.
Miyuki Iwakaki, a news director for Japanese-language TV UTB, said most of Japan believes Miura is guilty and are still interested in the case, although it has moved to Los Angeles.
Iwakaki said she remembered watching the story unfold when she was a teenager.
"I watched this news all day every day," she said.
Many of them are hoping that the second time around, justice will be served.
Despite double jeopardy laws, prosecutors are trying to retry Miura for murder along with conspiracy to murder. Miura will be arraigned next week and will be in police custody in downtown Los Angeles until then.
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