In Moscow, Trial Begins For Accused Murderer of 49
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MOSCOW — A supermarket shelfstacker accused of being one of the world’s most prolific serial killers goes on trial in Moscow on Friday charged with murdering at least 49 people.
Alexander Pichushkin, 33, is accused of luring victims to a secluded corner of Bitsevsky Park in Moscow before bludgeoning them to death with a hammer or bottle. In a televised confession after his arrest last year, Mr. Pichushkin said he invited victims for a drink by the grave of his pet dog before attacking them when they were drunk.
“For me, a life without murder is like a life without food,” he said. “I felt like a father to all these people, since it was I who opened the door for them to the afterlife.”
Mr. Pichuskin’s killing began in 2001. He was nicknamed the “Chessboard Killer” after he reportedly claimed that he placed a coin on a chessboard to represent each of his victims. He allegedly told police he had intended to fill in all 64 squares but had fallen short by two when he was caught. However, police said they only had enough evidence to charge him with 49 killings.
Mr. Pichushkin, who has been declared sane by state psychiatrists, was caught after he murdered a female colleague who left a note saying she was going for a walk with him.
