Ex-caretaker sentenced to death for school stabbing rampage

A former school caretaker was sentenced to death in Japan today for killing eight children.

Mamoru Takuma went from classroom to classroom, knifing children at the primary school. Thirteen other children and two teachers were injured in the June 8, 2001 attack.

In handing down the ruling, the judge at Osaka District Court in western Japan said Takuma was capable of judging right from wrong and was responsible for the crime, public broadcaster NHK said.

Takuma, 39, had admitted to the killings but had a history of schizophrenia and the sentence hinged on whether judges determined he was responsible for his actions. Psychiatrists reportedly testified he was fit to stand trial.

Takuma showed little remorse for his act, reportedly telling the court in June he could have killed more children if he had attacked an infant school. He said he was not afraid of death.

NHK said Takuma tried to make a statement before his sentence was read aloud, but the judges would not allow it and had him removed from the courtroom when he persisted.

“I’m going to get death anyway, so let me say what I have to say,” Takuma said before being dragged away by guards. The verdict was read in his absence.

The attack led to calls for greater security at schools because Takuma had entered the school unopposed.