The mother of Jan Helge Andersen followed the Attorney General’s press conference from her home in Kristiansand. In the same way, she followed the Baneheia case when it went to Kristiansand District Court and Agder Court of Appeal 20 years ago. She knows many details of the case, and is puzzled by the Attorney General’s conclusion. – Today, it is almost exclusively about the DNA evidence and the mobile evidence. I have an experience that they have put aside all the other evidence that was the basis when the boy was sentenced 20 years ago, says Berit Andersen. In 2002, Viggo Kristiansen was sentenced to 21 years in prison for the murder and sexual assault of Stine Sofie Sørstrønen (8) and Lena Sløgedal Paulsen (10). Andersen was sentenced to 19 years in prison for the murder of Stine Sofie Sørstrønen and complicity in the sexual abuse of both. news spoke to Jan Helge Andersen on Friday. He currently does not wish to comment on the case and refers to his lawyer Svein Holden. Who is the other perpetrator? The DNA evidence is about the fact that reliable DNA was found on Jan Helge Andersen. But DNA was also found at the scene that belonged to another man. The only problem was that the DNA sample could not be linked to one person, but came from more than half of Norway’s male population. – At the time, it was definitely established that there must have been two people at the scene. I am amazed that this is now just being written off. Who is the other perpetrator? No one can claim that Jan Helge has two different DNAs, says Berit Andersen. The mobile phone evidence is about Kristiansen sending several text messages in the period before the murders in Baneheia. Experts have not been able to measure mobile phone coverage at the crime scene. – At that time too, doubts were raised about both the DNA evidence and the mobile evidence. It was the sum of many pieces of evidence that led to conviction. None of the other evidence was mentioned during today’s press conference, says Berit Andersen. Jan Helge Andersen in the car, with defender Svein Holden outside, in connection with an interrogation in the new Baneheia case. Photo: Runar Henriksen Jørstad – Make me upset By other evidence, she means, among other things, joint statements from the two best mates, as well as witnesses who have explained themselves in the case. – Today I heard that the credibility of Jan Helge’s explanation has weakened. But I find that they only base it on an extract of evidence in the case when they say that. So the DNA evidence and the mobile evidence. Nor was it the basis when he was sentenced in the trial round. It upsets me, says Andersen. Berit Andersen says the Baneheia case has been a big burden for the family. Now she expects that a job will be done to get more answers. – I was hoping for a new trial. According to the Attorney General, we are now faced with an unsolved murder. Who killed the other girl? asks Berit Andersen. – Do you fully trust Jan Helge’s explanation? – Yes, I actually do, although I have had doubts many times. He may have embellished explanations, and explained more at an earlier time. But I trust him, says the mother. The verdicts in the Baneheia case Two little girls, Stine Sofie Sørstrønen (8) and Lena Sløgedal Paulsen (10) are raped and killed in Baneheia in Kristiansand. DNA traces are found on the one girl from Jan Helge Andersen. In questioning, Andersen confesses and says that Viggo Kristiansen was involved in the whole thing, and was the main man. Kristiansand city court 1 June 2001 Kristiansen is convicted of murder and sexual offenses against both girls, as well as some other offences. 21 years’ imprisonment + 10 years’ probation. He appeals. Andersen is acquitted of the murder of Lena, but convicted of the murder of Stine Sofie and complicity in sexual offenses against both girls. 17 years in prison. Both Andersen and the prosecution are appealing the sentencing. Agder Court of Appeal 13 February 2002 Kristiansen is sentenced to 21 years in prison for murder and rape in Baneheia, as well as one sexual offense against a child and breach of the peace against an adult. (He has confessed to things that are not connected to Baneheia.) 21 years in custody. Andersen: The sentence was increased to 19 years in prison. Investigation of Andersen continues The Attorney General believes that Viggo Kristiansen should be acquitted. – The background for this is that the overall investigation material clearly does not provide an evidentiary basis for prosecuting Kristiansen for the conditions for which he was convicted in the Baneheia case, Maurud continues. He goes to great lengths to reject Andersen’s explanation. – Overall, Andersen’s explanation is characterized by inaccuracies and a lack of credibility. To such an extent that, in my opinion, it is difficult to place weight in Kristiansen’s disfavour. The investigation into Jan Helge Andersen will continue. – We have reason to believe that he has more to contribute when it comes to his own role in this case. That is why he is now being investigated, says Attorney General Jørn Sigurd Maurud. Many questions remain in the Baneheia case. Maurud now hopes that the investigation into Andersen will provide more answers. – We are dealing with an unsolved murder. We certainly want to get as far as we can to the bottom of all questions that we cannot now provide answers to. I hope we get closer to that in the investigation, says Maurud. – Not least out of consideration for the next of kin of the girls, who obviously need more answers to what has happened, he says.
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– I was hoping for a new trial – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
