Following is a chronology of events linked to the trial of Aum Shinrikyo cult founder Shoko Asahara:

Nov. 4, 1989 -- Tsutsumi Sakamoto, a lawyer assisting people with complaints against Aum, is killed along with his wife, Satoko, and their 1-year-old son, Tatsuhiko.

June 27, 1994 -- Aum members release sarin nerve gas in a residential district in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, killing seven people and seriously injuring four others.

March 20, 1995 -- Aum members release sarin gas on Tokyo subway trains, killing 12 people and injuring more than 5,500.

May 16, 1995 -- Asahara is arrested.

April 24, 1996 -- Asahara's trial begins. He refuses to enter a plea.

Jan. 18, 2000 -- Aum admits Asahara's involvement in crimes for the first time. The cult renames itself Aleph.

Feb. 27, 2004 -- Asahara is handed the death sentence by the Tokyo District Court. His defense team immediately appeals.

Aug. 19, 2005 -- The Tokyo High Court rejects the defense team's requests to suspend the appellate trial and extend the deadline for submitting documents, and decides to hold psychiatric examinations of Asahara.

Aug. 31, 2005 -- The defense team misses the deadline for submitting documents for an appeal.

Feb. 20, 2006 -- A court-appointed psychologist turns in psychiatric exam results to the high court concluding that Asahara is not mentally disturbed and is fit to stand trial.

March 24 -- The defense team announces it will submit documents for appeal on March 28.

March 27 -- The high court decides to turn down the appeal by Asahara and his defense team.

March 30 -- The defense team files an objection of the high court's decision.

May 29 -- The high court turns down the objection.

June 5 -- The defense team files a special appeal with the Supreme Court.

Sept. 15 -- The Supreme Court rejects the appeal, finalizing Asahara's death sentence.