[ad_1]
The release request will be sent by lawyer Arvid Sjødin and his son Andreas Sjødin to the Agder prosecutor’s office on Sunday evening.
Arvid Sjødin confirms this to TV 2.
Viggo Kristiansen has been in prison since he was arrested in September 2000. Together with his then friend Jan Helge Andersen, he was convicted of the murder and rape of two girls aged 8 and 10 in Baneheia.
WANTS THE CHRISTIAN OUT: Defender Arvid Sjødin wants his client released. Photo: NTB
Andersen was sentenced to 19 years in prison, while Kristiansen was sentenced to 21 years in prison with a minimum sentence of 10 years.
Although Kristiansen may have requested his release as early as 2010, he has not done so. The reason, according to defense attorney Sjødin, is that he did not want to demand his release from what he believes to be an incorrect verdict. It could be seen as an acknowledgment of guilt, Kristiansen believes.
– Viggo has been clear that he will not leave until he is acquitted. What has changed now is that he is convinced that he will be acquitted, Arvid Sjødin tells TV 2.
Two probable outcomes
In reality, Kristiansen has finished serving his sentence in Baneheia, but since he has been sentenced to prison, he will normally need legal treatment before he can be released.
It is unclear how long it will be before the issue is decided.
For 13 years, Kristiansen has worked to reopen her case. On Thursday he won in the Resumption Commission.
Now there are two likely outcomes: a new trial with full evidence or that the prosecution recommend acquittal.
Meanwhile, Kristiansen wants to be a free man.
The prosecutor has previously stated that they do not want him immediately released.
Three aspects of judgment
There is technical evidence to support that Andersen was at the scene, but there is no such thing in Kristiansen’s case.
The Readmission Commission refers to three factors that cast doubt on whether the verdict against Kristiansen is correct:
- Important questions have been raised about so-called DNA tests. In the Court of Appeals, the jury assumed that there were two men at the scene, but today this is seen as a very dubious conclusion.
- You doubt whether the DNA evidence can strengthen the so-called mobile evidence, which in short means that Kristiansen’s mobile phone was in use elsewhere than in Baneheia when the murders took place.
- In hindsight, the way Jan Helge Andersen was questioned has been criticized. His explanation is the most important piece of evidence against Kristiansen.
It will stand on its own
Following news of the reopening, TV 2 interviewed convict Jan Helge Andersen, who became a free man five years ago.
He stands firm and claims that he and Kristiansen were together because of the misdeeds in Baneheia.
– I’ll stick to my explanation, says Andersen.
For families grieving after the killings, the news of the reopening came as a surprise. Family assistance lawyer Håkon Brækhus says they hoped the case would now be sentenced.
