Russia's 'chessboard' serial killer not sorry for 60 murders

Moscow, Mar 12 (UNI) Alexander Pichushkin, Russia's 'chessboard' serial killer has said he was not sorry for killing at least 60 innocent people over a period of many years.

In an interview to Russian tabloid Tvoi Den, published today, Pichushkin said he was unrepentant for 15 years he was engaged in his gruesome murder business.

At present, Pichushkin (33) is awaiting transfer to prison, to serve his life term. He was given the name of 'chessboard' serial killer for his habit of marking off his victims on the 'squares of a chessboard.' Last year, he was convicted for killing 48 people, although he confessed of killing at least 60 people. Investigators did not found evidence to support his claims.

Pichushkin said he was not repentant for what he had done as he had spent ''so much time and energy,'' and the ''desire to kill'' had been with him since early childhood.

''Repentance was a silly formality that did not even help reduce his sentence,'' he added.

The Court ruled maximum sentence to him as Russia has imposed a moratorium on the death penalty since 1996.

Most of the murders committed by Pichushkin are believed to have taken place between 2001 and 2006 in wooded areas in south Moscow's sprawling Bitsa Park. But Pichushkin said he began killing in the early 1990s.

Pichushkin used to lure his victims into woods and plied them with vodka before battering them to death.

He admitted in the interview to having 'enjoyed the process' of killing. ''People's lives are not long. And it is cheaper than sausage,'' he said.

Asked if he believes in God, he said, ''religion was a nice fairytale to console the weak.'' UNI XC PD ND1914