Paris: One of France's deadliest serial killers goes on trial on Thursday along with his wife, who allegedly helped him lure his prey.
Michel Fourniret, 66, is charged with kidnapping, rape and murder in connection with the deaths of seven young women killed in France and Belgium between 1987 and 2003.
The victims, as young as 12 and no older than 21, were strangled, shot or stabbed with a screwdriver.
Investigators suspect Fourniret may have been involved in several other murders, as well.
Fourniret, dubbed the 'Ogre of the Ardennes' was helped in his terrible catalogue of crimes by wife Monique Olivier, 59, who lured girls into his clutches.
Both face life in prison if convicted.
The trial in Charleville-Mezieres, in France's northern Ardennes region, is expected to last through May.
French media reports suggest that Fourniret may not attend the proceedings and may choose to remain in his cell after the first day.
Fourniret's defense lawyer, Pierre Blocquaux, said Fourniret had admitted to committing the crimes.
Blocquaux said he was not even sure Fourniret would agree to have a lawyer.
Belgian police detained Fourniret in June 2003 after his bungled kidnapping of a 13-year-old girl.
The girl gave authorities his license plate number after she managed to unbind her hands and escape from the back of Fourniret's van.
Belgium extradited Olivier to France in 2005 and Fourniret in 2006. Judicial officials in both countries decided the case should be tried in France because six of the dead women were French citizens.
The trial is drawing considerable media attention, with hundreds of reporters expected to attend the proceedings.
