– It shook the safe. It came as a shock to all of us, especially in Sund where Birgitte lived. It is a very small local community, says Jon Sverre Servan. In 1995, he was a newly moved parish priest in Kopervik. He himself had two teenage children. And describes the center of Kopervik as a lively and good place for young people. On May 6, the unthinkable happens. 17-year-old Birgitte Tengs is found brutally raped and killed on a deserted dirt road near her home. . The burial support for Birgitte Tengs in Kopervik. Photo: Rosa Irén Villalobos / news A long way to go The trial starts in the Haugaland district court on Monday. A 52-year-old man has been charged with the murder. According to crisis psychologist Atle Dyregrov, crises can both bring together and create conflicts in small communities. – The Birgitte Tengs case is very special. Because here it is simply the work of the prosecution that has created the division in the local community and between families, says Dyregrov. Psychologist Atle Dyregrov believes the Birgitte Tengs case is very special. Photo: Center for crisis psychology He believes that a lot is needed to build bridges when the division has lasted for a full 27 years. – A public apology from the highest authorities responsible for justice is a step on the way. But I think there is a long way to go. If it is even possible to build bridges, says Dyregrov. Two camps in the village A walk through the center of Kopervik shows that the issue is still painful for many. Some people don’t want to talk about it. Others think it’s too close. Everyone knows someone who is involved. And now a new trial begins. – This wound has also been torn open again so many times during these years, says Jon Sverre Servan. A new shock for the local community came when Birgitte’s own cousin was convicted of the murder of his cousin. The cousin was later acquitted of the murder. But he was nevertheless sentenced to pay compensation to his own aunt and uncle. This is where the division in the local community lies, according to Servan. – There were, in a way, two camps. Those who thought it was right that the cousin was acquitted. And those who thought he could possibly do it, says Jon Sverre Servan. Still hurt Today, Servan is retired. But he knows that the murder of Birgitte Tengs is still something that is talked about a lot in the village. – Everyone wants an ending. But nobody wants another judicial murder, says Servan. – It has affected society, and it is a topic we have talked about often. It is such a thing that we will never be free in a way, says Nina Tveit. Reidar Økland and Yngvar Alfheim. Photo: Rosa Irén Villalobos / news Some friends are sitting around a cafe table at the local bakery and discussing. They agree that the murder in 1995 often becomes a topic of conversation. They are now hoping for an answer. – I don’t know if the families will ever be reunited. But I hope they have picked the right man now, and that we can put an end to this talk, says Yngvar Alfheim. Can the parents find peace? For at least eight weeks, the parents of Birgitte Tengs will follow yet another trial where their murdered daughter is in focus. It will be tough, their legal aid lawyer believes. – They are afraid. Now they have to relive all the court days they had in their time in the lord court and the court of appeal. It is their only daughter in question. They will see gruesome photos and autopsy reports. So it is clear that they dread this enormously, says Erik Lea. Birgitte Tengs was only 17 years old. He is aware that there is only one thing that can possibly give them peace: – The only thing they are interested in is knowing what happened to Birgitte on the night of 6 May 1995. If they find out, then maybe they can finally get peace, says Lea. Priest Jon Sverre Servan sees the wound being torn open again with the upcoming trial. A new chapter. Maybe the last. He hopes for everyone’s sake that the chapter will come with clear answers. – The wounds have had time to heal. Then there is no quick fix. You can’t just put a plaster over it and think it’s good. It will take a long time before the wounds are healed and can heal.
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The local community is still divided – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
