The defendant has admitted to having killed a woman (45) by hitting her in the head with four sword strokes. Several diagnoses and low IQ The defendant, in his late 20s, has both a developmental and a personality disorder. He also has a diagnosis linked to substance abuse. The man is also mildly mentally retarded. The experts believe his IQ is 65. People who have an IQ below 60 are considered insane. Overall, the experts believe that the defendant lacks the ability to understand how his actions can affect others. How to assess insanity and IQ has been a topic during the trial in Trøndelag District Court this week. Prosecutor Per Morten Schjetne asked for custody Photo: Kari Sørbø / news Prosecutor, state attorney Per Morten Schjetne was clear in his procedure on Friday: – I can’t see that one should assess insanity when the IQ is 65 as the law is today. If one is going to do that, then the law must be changed, pointed out the prosecutor. – Another understanding of reality The person killed was an acquaintance of the defendant. They both lived in municipal flats at Byåsen in Trondheim. She was visiting him. Towards the end of the visit she told him that she thought his cat should be taken outside. The defendant went for a walk with the cat on a leash. The victim is said to have said that she wanted to notify the Norwegian Food Safety Authority about his cat keeping. The defendant said in court that he grinned a little, but was also a little annoyed. He said he thought it had something to do with him reaching for the sword that was by the wall. Taking up a sword in such a situation shows that the defendant’s diagnoses and ability to function are impaired, the prosecution believes. Elisabeth Karete Bjørkavåg Ravnå was found murdered in Trondheim on 17 April last year. Photo: The police An unclear motive – There is an unclear motive. A strange motive, said the prosecutor. He added that it may have something to do with the developmental disability. – The defendant has a different understanding of reality, said the prosecutor. But he admitted that unclear legal guidelines and the diagnoses of the accused make it challenging: – There are many twists and turns in this case to reach a conclusion, said the prosecutor. Prosecutor Per Morten Schjetne asked for custody Photo: Kari Sørbø / news Risk of new, serious acts of violence Five years before the murder, the young man was listed in a project at the police which includes persons who have a particularly high risk of committing violence. A couple of years later, the conclusion was that the man might kill. The prosecutor supports the experts who believe there is a high risk that the defendant may commit new, serious crimes. Indefinite detention in order to protect society is therefore necessary, the prosecution believes. The prosecutor submitted a request for detention and asked the court to set a time frame of nine years. A deduction of five years has then been made for the defendant’s medical situation. – Meaningless and without any provocation For the family of the deceased it has been a tremendous burden to lose a daughter and a mother in such a way. Elisabeth Karete Bjørkavåg Ravnå came to Trondheim and started studying. She developed a drug problem and subsequently moved into the flat where she lived when she was killed. The family was worried about her because of the conditions in the block, aid lawyer Gerd Haagensen said in court on Friday. About what happened when the woman was killed, the public prosecutor said: – It was pointless and without any provocation, said Haagensen. On behalf of the parents of the deceased and an adult son, the assistance lawyer submitted a claim for restitution compensation. Forensic technicians with the sword that was used. Photo: Bjarte Johannesen / news Published 13.09.2024, at 10.50 Updated 13.09.2024, at 11.36
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Allegation of nine years’ detention for sword murder in Trondheim – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
