Where's a Japanese Robert Kennedy when you need one?

[cstaylor]

Gangsters told to leave courtroom as witnesses 'sweat'

The unusual appeal by both defense and prosecuting lawyers was made during the trial of Takashi Takizawa, head of a Yamaguchi-gumi crime syndicate affiliate, at the Osaka District Court. The 64-year old is accused of illegal possession of firearms

[Mr. BIG]

Both the gangsters and the police agreed to stay away from the proceedings, which are still underway, and the gallery is now almost empty, court officials said.

I thought 'gangsters' and 'police' were synonymous terms....oh well.