Satoshi Uematsu has been sentenced to death after killing 19 disabled people during a stabbing rampage at a care home in Japan in 2016.
Japanese man Satoshi Uematsu was sentenced to death after he killed 19 disabled people at the Sagamihara care home in Japan on July 26, 2016. Broadcaster Kyodo reported that Uematsu said people with disabilities who were unable to communicate well had no human rights.
The 30-year old, who had once worked at the Tsukui Yamayuri-en care facility, located near Tokyo, said there was "no point in living" for people with mental disabilities and that he "had to do it for the sake of society".
Uematsu will face death by hanging as ordered by the Yokohama District Court. He previously stated that he did not plan to appeal against any verdict or sentence.
During the trial, Uematsu did not deny that he stabbed his victims but his defense team pleaded not guilty, citing their client's mental state. They argued that at the time the crime was committed, he had been under the influence of drugs.
His lawyer said: "He abused marijuana and suffered from mental illness. He was in a condition in which either he had no capacity to take responsibility or such a capacity was significantly weakened."
While there were traces of marijuana found in his blood after the attack, prosecutors argued that Uematsu was mentally competent and that the rampage was "inhumane" and left "no room for leniency".
Prior to the start of the hearing, one mother whose 19-year old daughter was killed in the attack revealed that her first name was Miho. She said: "Even the most extreme penalty is light for you. I will never forgive you."
"Please bring back my most precious daughter... you're still alive. It's not fair. It's wrong. I demand capital punishment," she added.
