Man on trial over Sagamihara rampage says he felt murders 'would benefit society'

Satoshi Uematsu, 30, who has admitted to killing 19 residents and injuring dozens more at the facility in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, made the remark in response to questioning by a victim’s relative at the 10th hearing of his trial at the Yokohama District Court. The question was posed by the younger brother of a 60-year-old woman who was killed in the attack.

When asked about his current state of mind, Uematsu said, “It pains me to talk with the family of the deceased,” and that he apologized to the victims. But he attempted to justify his actions, saying, “I think (the attack) was the most meaningful thing I could do,” adding, “It is wrong to take care of those with serious mental disabilities.”

Takashi Ono, 76, whose son Kazuya, 46, sustained severe injuries in the attack, also questioned Uematsu.

“The family (of the disabled) was able to live with happiness, along with concern about (their disability). You took that away (from us),” Ono said. In response, Uematsu apologized to the family.

Uematsu’s mental competency has been a major focus of the trial, with the defense saying he was suffering a mental disorder triggered by marijuana use at the time of the attack. Prosecutors argue he was mentally competent.