– The risk of new, violent acts is very high. That is the conclusion of the forensic psychiatric report against the defendant in the Otta murder case. On the fourth and final court day, specialist in psychiatry, Terje Tørrisen, and psychologist, Monica Flermoen, presented their report. They have no doubt that the 46-year-old defendant needs long-term psychiatric treatment. – Very serious psychiatric illness Nor did the prosecutor, Torbjørn Klundseter, hide the fact that he believed the defendant posed a great danger to society if he was not kept in an institution. – The prosecution’s claim is that the defendant is transferred to compulsory mental health care. Klundseter believes that the risk of repetition is high for the defendant. In his closing proceedings, he said that the victims no doubt appear to be random, something the defendant also said in his statement. – He has a very serious psychiatric illness, and is almost treatment-resistant. He has never become symptom-free of the disorder he suffers from, Klundseter said. Asking for acquittal The man’s defense attorney, Anders Bjørnsen, agrees that his client is a person who needs mental health care under duress, but that forced mental health care is at the strictest level. In his procedure, Bjørnsen emphasized that his client is not to blame for his illness. The client has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia for over 20 years. – In addition to the fact that he is a victim of illness, he has also made an effort to prevent this act. Of course within his limited ability, but he has actually made others aware that he has had certain thoughts and wanted admission as a result, Bjørnsen said at the beginning of his procedure. Bjørnsen also believes that his client should be acquitted of the first indictment, which deals with the murder of the married couple. The reason is that the defendant has explained that it was not himself, but the illness, that caused him to commit the murders. – Does not show emotional expression for the act – He needs very long-term treatment in an institution, Tørrisen said during the presentation of the forensic psychiatric report. . They have conducted several interviews with the defendant, and also observed the defendant during the trial. They are clear that this is a very sick person. Terje Tørrisen, specialist in psychiatry, and Monica Flermoen, psychologist, have assessed the defendant. Photo: Alexander Nordby / news – He does not show a single expression of emotion for the terrible act, it is completely empty. It also shows the seriousness of this here, said Tørrisen. It was on 1 August 2022 that the man in his 40s entered the home of a married couple in their 80s in Blekalia in Otta. Within minutes he carried out the murders and the embalming. In court, the man explained that for a period before the act, he was afraid that he was going to carry out a serious act. He said that he has had an inner force that has told him that he should kill someone to free himself from the devil. Shortly after the incident, the man himself called the police and told them that he had killed two people. Prosecutor Torbjørn Klundseter and the defendant’s defender, Anders Bjørnsen, in conversation in the Vestre Innlandet District Court. Photo: Anders Bakkerud Larsen / news Poses a great risk to society During the trial, several psychiatric staff, who have treated the defendant both before and after his arrest, said that they believe the man poses a great risk to others if he goes out into society now. According to the two appointed forensic psychiatrists, it will take many years before a form of treatment is found that works well enough for the accused. They are resoundingly clear, and agree with their colleagues, that there is a great danger that the defendant would commit new violent acts if he were released into society. – It is very high, and he needs very long-term treatment. The defendant’s defense attorney, Anders Bjørnsen, wanted to know if the forensic psychiatrists could say anything about the state of mind of his client during the murder. – He was very psychotic. The way he does this horrible act is based on the psychosis. Questioning health care During the trial, the defendant’s health situation has been a central theme. The defendant himself wanted in the time before the murders to be admitted to Reinsvoll psychiatric hospital, but was not given a place. Instead, he was admitted to DPS Lillehammer, and was there for ten days. One of the questions that has been asked during the trial has been whether the defendant received the help he needed before he committed the murders. The state administrator in Innlandet has previously assessed whether the man received proper follow-up from Sykehuset Innlandet HF and Sel municipality. They have also assessed whether the interaction between them has been sound. The state administrator concluded that there had been no breach of the health legislation, and that the health care had been provided “in line with good practice”. In his procedure, the prosecutor questioned the conclusion of the report. – Some have failed to grasp the danger of the disorder or the worsening of the condition.
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Experts believe the defendant in the Otta murder case needs long-term treatment in an institution – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
