‘Gentleman’ accused ‘felt sorry’ for victim’s family

The man accused of strangling Nicola Furlong told prosecutors that he was a “gentleman” who “felt sorry” for the family of the DCU student.

American Richard Hinds said that he would “humbly accept it” should it transpire he had “misjudged” the amount of pressure he had placed on Ms Furlong’s neck — an act that medical experts say directly resulted in her death.

Asked by the prosecution to explain why he felt sorry despite his belief that he hadn’t killed Ms Furlong, the defendant said he felt “sorry that I was not more aware of her condition” when Ms Furlong fell unconscious in his hotel room in Tokyo on May 24, 2012.