Zepeda's Constitutional Appeal Rejected by Court of Cassation
Court of Cassation rejects Zepeda's constitutional appeal; conviction appeal still pending.
Event / Security
Nicolas Zepeda Murder Trial
French Court of Cassation rejects constitutional appeal by Nicolas Zepeda's defense in the decade-old murder case of Japanese student Narumi Kurosaki. Zepeda remains imprisoned following March 2026 conviction to life sentence.
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2026-10-10 to 2026-10-29 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 10 Oct, 18:38 UTC
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What happened
Nicolas Zepeda condemned to life imprisonment for murder of Narumi Kurosaki
Nicolas Zepeda, a Chilean national, was convicted three times for the murder of Narumi Kurosaki, a Japanese student. The court of assizes of the Rhône pronounced a verdict on March 26, 2026, sentencing him to réclusion criminelle à perpétuité (life imprisonment). The body of Narumi Kurosaki, who disappeared ten years ago, has never been recovered.
Appeal of Nicolas Zepeda's conviction remains pending before Court of Cassation
A pourvoi en cassation (appeal in cassation) filed by Nicolas Zepeda's defense team remains unresolved by the Court of Cassation. Nicolas Zepeda remains incarcerated at the Orléans-Saran correctional facility. The case continues despite the rejection of the constitutional appeal on October 7, 2026.
Court of Cassation rejects constitutional appeal by Nicolas Zepeda's defense
On October 7, 2026, the Court of Cassation held a hearing in Paris and rejected a question prioritaire de constitutionnalité (QPC) filed by Nicolas Zepeda's defense team. The defense had argued that the court verdict of March 26, 2026, was insufficiently motivated in writing given the life sentence imposed. The Court of Cassation determined the appeal was not founded and did not merit referral to the Constitutional Council.
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