Prosecutors ask for prison sentence for Americans who helped Ghosn escape

Prosecutors on Friday asked that two American men who have been charged with helping former Nissan and Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn flee Japan be sentenced to prison for at least two years each as their trial concluded.

Michael Taylor, a former Green Beret, and his son Peter Taylor were arrested and extradited to Japan in March. They both apologized to Japanese officials for their alleged actions when their trial began last month.

“I deeply regret my actions and sincerely apologize for causing difficulties for the judicial process and for the Japanese people,” Michael Taylor said at the time.

Ghosn fled Japan in late 2019 as he was awaiting trial for several financial crimes he allegedly committed during his time leading Nissan. 

Prosecutors on Friday requested that Micheal Taylor be sentenced to two years and 10 months in prison and his son serve two years and six months. The maximum sentence in Japan for helping a criminal is three years, The Associated Press reported.

Keiji Isaji, the attorney for the pair of Americans, argued that the sentences should be suspended, acknowledging that both men were already in custody for 10 months prior to their extradition, the news outlet noted.

“They deeply regret what they did,” Isaji said.

Michael Taylor and Peter Taylor both asked for forgiveness from the court.

“I stand here today a man whose life has been destroyed because of this,” Michael Taylor said, according to the AP. “I am a citizen of this earth. No one will stand before you and be more remorseful and sorry than me and my son.”

“After my experience in the Japanese judicial system, my impression has changed a lot,” he said. “And last but not least, I apologize to the people of Japan, and I deeply regret my action.”

Chief Judge Hideo Nirei set the Taylors’ sentencing for July 19.