‘Chessboard killer’ liked to 'stare death in the face'

One of Russia's most notorious murder suspects has told a Moscow court how he liked to stare death in the face. Known as the Chessboard killer, or Bitsevsky Maniac, Aleksandr Pichushkin is charged with 49 murders and has pleaded guilty to all of them, as

During his testimony Pichushkin described how he ticked his victims off a list: first using a calendar, and then, as the numbers grew, a chessboard.

He said he liked to watch as his victims died, explaining this is why he gave up his initial practice of throwing them down a well.

The trial was adjourned after Pichushkin complained of stress.  

He will testify on the last seven murder cases on Tuesday, before the jury leaves to decide on a verdict.