Baneheia case is resumed – – You can have a normal life

On Thursday, the readmission commission decided that Baneheia Viggo Kristiansen’s convict (41) will get a second chance in the court system.

Kristiansen was sentenced in 2002 to the harshest punishment under the law – 21 years in prison with a minimum of 10 years – for raping and killing Stine Sofie Sørstrønen (8) and Lena Sløgedal Paulsen (10) in the Baneheia hiking and swimming area. in Kristiansand.

Such a sentence means that the sentence can be extended as long as the court believes that the convicted person is dangerous to others. Therefore, a person sentenced to prison can, in principle, serve a life sentence.

– When we realized that he was on the right track, there were many cheers and joy in the room, yes. Many tears, but this time they were tears of joy. We were together, the whole family, and above all it was a feeling of relief that cannot be described. But we miss that Viggo could have been with us, so what a great celebration we can have when we are with him, Svein Kristiansen, Viggo’s father, tells Dagbladet.

Dagbladet has requested an interview with the father and has received answers to his questions by email.

Was prepared

Kristiansen’s friend Jan Helge Andersen (40) confessed to the rapes and murders, and was sentenced to 19 years in prison.

Andersen has always claimed that Kristiansen was involved in the murders, and in the verdict he was singled out as the main man. It was also emphasized that Kristiansen has a history of sexual abuse.

Later, the police received harsh criticism for the interrogation methods, and the readmission commission based this on its decision on a new opportunity for Kristiansen.

In addition to Andersen’s explanation, DNA findings were made at the site, which was taken into account by the Kristiansand City Court and the Agder Court of Appeal because there were two men at the site.

Significant doubt

Recent studies with more modern technology have cast considerable doubt on whether DNA evidence can be used to say something true about the number of perpetrators. This is also an important reason why the case is now being resumed.

This happens later in the Baneheia case.

The Commission’s report also notes that so-called moving evidence, which casts doubt on whether Kristansen may have been physically present when the rapes and murders occurred, must now be given more weight, as Andersen’s explanation and DNA evidence have lost weight

The City and the Court of Appeal at the time emphasized the big picture of the evidence when Kristiansen was convicted, and toned down the aforementioned moving evidence, as well as other factors that spoke against a conviction, such as Kristiansen’s signature bike not wearing. seen parked in Baneheia by witnesses at the time.

– More in full swing

The father says he was prepared for the fact that he might actually get the case resumed this time. Kristiansen has sent the case to the readmission commission several times and the application was later rejected.

– We’ve been through this before. But this time we were probably more in full swing than at any other time. We felt that this time the case was a little different than it had been before.

The details: Viggo Kristiansen’s life in prison

The first conversation

– How was the first conversation with Viggo after the news? What does it say about the resumption?

– Viggo is a sober guy who in the conversation quickly told us that he was busy with all the tasks he had. But we finally got to talk about how historic this is, and there’s no question that he’s very relieved and incredibly happy.

Bjørn Olav Jahr, who, among other things, is behind the book on the Baneheia case, has previously told Dagbladet that Viggo wants to be acquitted before he is released from prison. This confirms the danger.

– As parents, we prefer to have it at home as soon as possible. However, Viggo has not applied for parole until there is a change in the case. We will see what decides now.

Therefore he was condemned

On Sunday night, Kristiansen’s lawyer, Arvid Sjødin, stated that the client wishes to be released.

– He has previously said that he will not be released until he is acquitted. Formally, he is not acquitted, but it is overwhelmingly likely that he is. That is why he wants to be released now, Sjødin writes in an email to Dagbladet.

Believe in normal life

– Do you think Viggo will ever have a normal life, after everything that has happened?

– Yes, we think so. It has acquired so much competence and knowledge that I am absolutely sure it will be put to good use when it comes out. But it’s pretty clear that it will be upsetting for him that, among others, we, as parents, should stand up and help him, says Kristiansen.

– This does not mean that Viggo is automatically acquitted. Are you ready for a new sentence?

– We have struggled with confidence in the judicial system, but now we have a new hope beyond all doubt. We await a complete retest precisely because we are completely sure that it will then be purified. The evidence and knowledge we have today indicates.

The family emphasizes that they understand that this is a difficult issue for relatives and the local community.

– At the same time, we must also ask for understanding that we cannot let that prevent us from fighting for our son, who we believe has served 20 years in prison as an innocent prisoner.

Found the girls: – Terrible experience

The father says because they have received good help in this case, and that they have been able to concentrate on being parents, and that the family is stronger than ever.

– What happens now in the case, for your part?

– We don’t know very well. We are waiting to see what the prosecution decides to do now, then we will see. We’ve gotten good at waiting and taking care of Viggo.

Take up the matter

The commission of three lawyers and two lay members disagreed: three against two.

– Although there are a number of factors that indicate that Viggo Kristiansen is guilty, in the majority’s assessment there is a reasonable possibility that he would have been acquitted, writes the majority of the commission in the report, which is 369 pages long.

Full front

When the commission comes to the conclusion that the case should be resumed, even though much also speaks of Kristansen’s guilt in wrongdoing, the reason is that in a criminal case it must be “proven beyond reasonable doubt” that the defendant is guilty.

The minority on the commission, for their part, believes nothing significant new has emerged to indicate that the case will be resumed.

– In the evaluation of the minority, there are no “special circumstances” in the investigation, the prosecution of the case, the judicial procedures or other aspects of the case that make it “doubtful” that the verdict is correct, concludes the minority, which consists of the commission leader lawyer Siv Hallgren and chief physician Tor Ketil Larsen.

Jan Helge Andersen was released from prison in 2019 and now lives with a new identity.