Murder accused ‘showed no remorse’

The family of Nicola Furlong came face to face with the student’s alleged killer for the first time yesterday, when the trial of the American musician Richard Hinds began in Tokyo.

The prosecution painted a picture of a “remorseless” Hinds who, with an American friend, had lured Ms Furlong and her fellow Co Wexford friend back to the hotel where they were staying.

They claim that blood on the bed of Mr Hinds’ hotel room and early morning shouting were the start of a struggle that ended in Ms Furlong being strangled by Hinds, who they say had used a towel or similar object to commit the murder at their hotel shortly after 3am on May 24.