Yu Hagino, a cram school teacher accused for slaying his student、pleads guilty at the Kyoto District Court on Feb. 20.

"I committed an irreparable mistake and I would not have done this if I had committed suicide (first)," Yu Hagino, 23, told the Kyoto District Court. "I am sorry that I claimed a precious life."

Hagino is accused of murdering elementary school sixth-grader Sayano Horimoto in a classroom at the cram school Dec. 10.

Prosecutors said in their opening statement Hagino had come to distrust and hate the girl because he received complaints from her parents over his teaching methods.

The Japan Times Weekly: Feb. 25, 2006
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