OSAKA -- The man accused of storming into an elementary school in Ikeda, Osaka Prefecture, and stabbing to death eight children in June pleaded guilty Thursday, saying he wants to atone for the crime with his own life.
During his opening session at the Osaka District Court, Mamoru Takuma, 38, admitted to all of the charges against him, including the murder of eight children, aged 6 to 8, at Ikeda Elementary School and injuring 13 others and two teachers on June 8.
"It is true that I stabbed the children to death with a kitchen knife. I want to atone for my offense with my life," he said as family members of the victims watched from the gallery.