Wants audio recordings and mysterious letters investigated – VG

20 years after the Baneheia murders in Kristiansand, it is relevant that the Oslo police launch a new investigation.

After the case of convicted murderer Viggo Kristiansen was resumed, there may be further investigations into DNA traces and so-called telephone evidence. New interrogations may also be relevant.

Kristiansen supporters, led by attorney Arvid Sjødin, will submit a list of investigative steps they want the new investigators to carry out.

Sjødin informs VG that the following investigation steps will be on the list:

• An audio recording of a witness statement. Supporters of Viggo Kristiansen believe that the recording is very relevant. The audio recording is mentioned in Bjørn Olav Jahr’s book “The Baneheia Murders: Two Stories, One Truth”, where the author claims that Kristiansen is innocent. According to the book, the witness claims that Jan Helge Andersen said that Viggo Kristiansen was not involved in the killings. Andersen recently stated that he supports his explanation that Kristiansen was the “director.”
• Mysterious anonymous letters, received by the circle around Kristiansen. The person claims to be sitting with important information about what happened in Baneheia and Jan Helge Andersen’s explanation, according to lawyer Sjødin.
• New DNA tests. Sjødin wants the police to review the DNA findings that are with FHI and that have not been investigated during the commission’s prosecution of the case.

New interrogations?

Jan Helge Andersen, who has served his prison sentence, recently hired Svein Holden as his lawyer.

– Andersen maintains that Kristiansen’s role in the case has been correctly explained. It hasn’t been explained differently to anyone else, and that also applies to this person, Holden says of the audio recording.

Kristiansen’s supporters also want the police to now review other specific advice they have received over the years.

– I will be in contact with those who will investigate the case to report it in a good way. I want you to investigate a number of circumstances that have arisen after the verdict and that have not been investigated, says lawyer Sjødin.

– Do you want Viggo Kristiansen to be questioned again?

– If you need to question him, he’ll show up. Then I must be present.

– Do you want Jan Helge Andersen to be questioned before a possible trial?

– It will be up to the police to decide, but I think it is relevant, says Sjødin. He believes that modern interrogation techniques can be positive for the case.

State prosecutor Andreas Schei will wait for Sjødin’s request before commenting on individual possible steps in the investigation.

Skeptical of explanations

Kristiansen and his friend Jan Helge Andersen were convicted of raping and killing Lena Sløgedal Paulsen (10) and Stine Sofie Sørstrønen (8) at Baneheia in Kristiansand. Kristiansen was sentenced at the Agder Court of Appeal in 2002 to 21 years in prison, while Andersen was sentenced to 19 years in prison.

Andersen has finished serving his sentence and defends his explanation that Viggo Kristiansen was the “director”.

Kristiansen denies having been involved in the killings and the case was recently resumed, because the majority of the Resumption Commission believes that there is a reasonable possibility that Kristiansen would have been acquitted, had the Court of Appeal been made aware of the new evidence available.

At the same time, most write that, overall, there are a number of factors that suggest that Kristiansen is guilty.

The commission describes Kristiansen’s behavior on the day of the murder as a suspect, and is skeptical of several of his explanations in police questioning.

“These may be flagged by Kristiansen trying to maintain an alibi history, which Andersen has agreed to, and that he should adjust this as he receives new information,” the commission writes.

In the coming months, the prosecution will review the case and decide whether they want to start a new trial against Kristiansen or file an acquittal.