Parents demand death over school massacre (Nippon)

Note that there were no firearms used, yet the arguments by
parents/lawyers sound the same (no calls for blade control however,
no comment by the Police either)…
http://hyperlink2.com/?141
Parents demand death over school massacre

OSAKA — The parents of three 7-year-old girls fatally stabbed in a
killing spree in June 2001 at an elementary school in Ikeda, Osaka Prefecture,
called Thursday for the defendant to be sentenced to death.
The father of Kana Tsukamoto told the Osaka District Court that they want
Mamoru Takuma to “pay for the crime with his life” and described his very
existence as a “social ill.”

He also blasted Takuma’s lawyers for seeking another psychological
examination.

“If this man, following results of a re-examination, returns to society
and kills someone, how will the lawyers take responsibility for it?” he asked
from the witness stand.

The girl’s mother added, “If I think of how Kana suffered such a horrible
thing, I cannot forgive the defendant.”

Lawyers have requested that the names of the victims’ families not be
printed.

Thursday’s session, the 18th in Takuma’s trial, marked the first time
victims’ families have told the court their views. They were questioned by
prosecutors at the last hearing in October. The trial began in December 2001.

The father of Yuki Hongo told the court, “I have no other words for this
man other than ‘Die.’ “

Her mother added, “My sorrow was so deep that I could no longer feel
anger.”

Another father told the court, “I want him to atone (for the crime)
through death because I do not believe that he can change the way he is.”

Meanwhile, presiding Judge Masayuki Kawaai said the results of a
re-examination Takuma is undergoing are expected to be submitted as early as next
week and made public at the next court session March 13.

On June 8, 2001, a knife-wielding Takuma stormed into the Osaka Kyoiku
University Ikeda Elementary School, stabbed seven girls and one boy to death
and injured 13 other children and two teachers, according to the indictment.

Takuma, 39, pleaded guilty to the charges. He has a record of psychiatric
treatment and appeared to be mentally unstable immediately after his
arrest.

Prosecutors maintain, however, that he can be held accountable for the
crimes. Takuma earlier told the court he would not contest their claim.

The Japan Times: Jan. 24, 2003
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