Is anyone following the Breivik trial?

[chayton]

It seems insane to me that even if this &*%# is found guilty, he'll only spend a max of 21 years in prison. It's got to be heartbreaking for the families of the victims. I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around how someone could be that deluded to believe that slaughtering a bunch of innocent kids was self-defence.

 

[Tirilej]

It's almost impossible to not follow it here, and I'm sure our Norwegian friends are.
I can almost not stand seing a picture of that guy, and now it's all over the news again. It's so important not to forget what he have done, but still that's all I want to do.

 

[Realitybitez]

I had no idea what the Breivik trial was so did a quick google.

Unbelievable! This guys probably gonna get off with an insanity plead. Apparently even the defense lawyers for the victims were shaking his hand. WTF?

And its not even as though hes trying to deny it, he admits it and proudly

There is no excuse for killing a bunch of kids, insane or not. He deserves the book thrown at him and then some... Its total bullsh*t if he gets off!!!! Sorry, this really rucks me up

 

[chayton]

Too bad it's not possible to seal the court and not let the media know anything except the verdict. They're giving him the platform that he so desperately wanted - and what they were saying they weren't going to allow. Every time he knows there's a camera on him he smirks - it's sickening.

 

[secret2]

I heard about it today and I am upset that the judge gave him THAT much time (One hour)to 'explain' his 'reason' for doing this.

The way I heard it, was via radio 'WYNC' and they portrayed the judge as being, 'patient'.

 

[RexBorgersen]

Jepp. 24/7 update on TV, radio, internett here in Norway. The court is 15 min from where i live so there is alot of pressure on the case every day!

 

[jetset]

The trial has had a lot of exposure on SkyTV. I think what impacted me most was at the start, when the prosecutor (or maybe the chief pathologist - not sure) dispassionatly read out the names and horrific injuries of the 77 victims...and as each one was read out the television station put up a photograph of the youngster concerned.

It really brought home the awfulness of this massacre of innocents.

I think the Norwegians are trying to maintain a calm, fair and democratic judicial procedure, but it's pretty hard to accept in the face of such an horrific crime and such a brutal killer...that's a gene strain the pool doesn't need.

 

[rainmaker]

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It is correct that the maximum determinate penalty is 21 years imprisonment. But we also have something that is called "containment" here in Norway, which could result in life imprisonment

(Wikipedia- Life imprisonment in Norway) If the prisoner is still considered dangerous after serving the original sentence, the prisoner can receive up to five years additional containment. If the additional time is served, and the offender is still considered dangerous, a prisoner can continue to receive up to five years additional containment, and this, in theory, could result in actual life imprisonment. "Containment" is used when the prisoner is deemed a danger to society and there is a great chance of committing violent crimes in the future

 

[LaHutti]

I don't see how he could get anything less than that.
That sicko is out of reach, and without any hope of repair.
Since there is no chance of death penalty, he needs to be excactly that... contained, with no access to any media... until he is no more imho.
In this case, I have a very hard time talking about "fair trial".

.


It is correct that the maximum determinate penalty is 21 years imprisonment. But we also have something that is called "containment" here in Norway, which could result in life imprisonment

(Wikipedia- Life imprisonment in Norway) If the prisoner is still considered dangerous after serving the original sentence, the prisoner can receive up to five years additional containment. If the additional time is served, and the offender is still considered dangerous, a prisoner can continue to receive up to five years additional containment, and this, in theory, could result in actual life imprisonment. "Containment" is used when the prisoner is deemed a danger to society and there is a great chance of committing violent crimes in the future

 

[rainmaker]

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The discussion regarding the Norwegian prison system reminds me of a part from one Michael Moore movie (Sicko) where he talks about Norway in general and Bastoy Prison. Or it was not really in his movie, but as a part of the bonus feature on the DVD.

I know that several international newspapers and others like CNN have written about this particular prison in relation to the Breivik case. I really do not see that as very relevant, since this is a minimum-security prison. Breivik will of course be imprisoned in a high security prison.

But I think in general that our prison system is based on a punish the crimes, rehabilitate the offender-approach. And I personally see that as a good thing. And I think it is important that good things don`t change based on a madman's actions. As our prime minister stated at that time "we will respond with more openness and more democracy".

Especially one quote by Stine Renate Håheim (who escaped unharmed from Utoya) became the symbol of how Norwegians reacted to these terrible attacks:

If one man can show so much hate, think how much love we could show together

As for Breivik, I hope and I believe that he will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Here is the clip from "Sicko" (the prison part is from about 4:10). As I said, this prison is not relevant for the Breivik case, but it shows one example from our prison system where rehabilitation is important.

 

[secret2]

I think rehab is important, rather than punishment. BUT of course for this type of offender? It should not be on the cards.

Some people have so much hatred and 'born-in tuition' from childhood and on up, in them, that it would take a life-time to rewire their thinking.

So life.

 

[Gremmyboy]

I'm always in two minds about things like this. I feel the hatred and shock that everyone else does regarding the perpetrator but I also feel obliged to be rational in my views.
This man is not normal and does not represent humanity as a whole. It truly does show the dangers of mental illnesses(such as schizophrenia) and that more needs to be done pre-emptively to stop things like this happening! Gun control, duty of care for doctors and psychiatrists to report to police potential dangerous mental states and monitoring(such as weekly reporting to authorities and mental health teams) for 'at risk' sufferers. There should be a phone line where concerned relatives or friends can report deluded behaviours or concerns and each one should be treated seriously!

I just always leave with the feeling that surely something more could be done.

As to this case..... He should never see the light of day again! He is beyond rehabilitation even with medication I believe!



Cheers
Gremmy

 

[rainmaker]

BUT of course for this type of offender? It should not be on the cards.

I agree with you. I think rehabilitation with the intention of bringing Breivik back to the community is unthinkable. As I said, I can never imagine that something like that will happen in this case. A person who has killed 77 people should never again be released from prison.

 

[Pulver]

Pretty sick hearing the man talk on TV, thats for sure.

I will however bet my whole bank account that he will spend the rest of his life in prison. No chance that he is ever getting out. If he is found to be in insane he will probably spend the rest of his life in a prison-hospital institution of some sort.

 

[conker]

I hate all the publicity this guy is getting. I suppose it is one of those cases which catches attention from all over the world, but it also gives him a chance to express his extemist views. There will be people out there (probably many) who will be inspired by this sick man. Very sad....

 

[Mousey]

I just really can't read all the updates or watch news on this maniac. I don't like the hate and fear and horror and disgust I feel toward him. It's like watching a mad dog, who doesn't know he's rabid ....

In the US prison system, he probably wouldn't live more than a year or two. People who kill children usually must be kept from among the general prison population... but even that isn't usually enough to keep them alive long enough to live out their sentence.

I do hope the man never gets out of prison. And I hope he doesn't have access to other prisoners to build a following. Madmen always gain followers...