Having trouble translating this sentence into english

Question

“Nunca maté a nadie”, había dicho quien aparece como autor intelectual en todas las condenas por delitos contra la humanidad que le impusieron. El mismo lo admitió en el libro El dictador, de los periodistas y escritores María Seoane y Vicente Muleiro.

I am having trouble capturing the essence of the original sentences, but also making it easily understood in English without it sounding awkward. I have this: “I never killed anyone,” said he who appears as a mastermind in all of the convictions for crimes against humanity imposed on him. He admitted it in the book The Director, from the journalists and writers María Seoane and Vicente Muleiro.

Answer 1

"I never killed anyone." That is what the man who appears as a mastermind in all convictions for crimes against humanity says. He admitted it in the book...

That's how I'd rephrase it. "I never killed anyone" sounds better to me.

Also "says he" sounds a bit formal to me. I have no idea what context you're writing this in, so it's entirely possible that "says he" is correct.

Found the original text. The name was omitted, made it harder to follow. - dennywells, Nov 20, 2013

“Nunca maté a nadie”, había dicho Videla, quien aparece como autor intelectual en todas las condenas por delitos contra la humanidad que le impusieron. - dennywells, Nov 20, 2013

Answer 2

I'll give it a try without doing any research. Phrased in English straight foreword, but interesting/compelling.

"I've never killed anyone", had said the same man who appears to be the driving force (mastermind) behind all of the sentences they imposed on him for crimes against humanity. He had admitted as much himself in the book The Dictator, by the journalists and writers María Seoane and Vicente Muleiro.

I strayed away from a literal translation and tried to impart the tone or drama. Or so I think...