Aum member Tsuchiya appeals death sentence

Masami Tsuchiya, a former senior member of the Aum Shinrikyo cult, appealed Tuesday a ruling that sentenced him to death for the 1995 poison gas attack on the Tokyo subway and six other cases.

Tsuchiya, 39, filed the appeal at the Tokyo High Court over the judgment Friday by the Tokyo District Court convicting him of playing a key role in the murder of 13 people in crimes committed by the sect, including the Tokyo subway sarin gas attack in March 1995 that left 12 dead and thousands injured.