Torger Tengs, Birgitte’s father, appeared in the district court today. From the witness box, he answered questions from public prosecutor Erik Lea. – I’m having a great time. It’s hard to explain, but the short version is that I’m having a hell of a time, he replied. The father sits leaning forward towards the microphone and speaks. He has with him a set of typed notes on some A4 sheets which he flips through while Lea asks questions. The 52-year-old defendant looks the other way inside room 14. He explained that he was at sea when he received a phone call that his 17-year-old daughter had been killed. He was the captain of a boat bound for Rotterdam. – I was totally paralysed, he says of the phone call that changed the lives of him, his wife and the rest of the family. Lea asks questions about when Birgitte Tengs’ cousin was arrested in 1997. The father says that he reacted with shock and disbelief. – The police explained what proportion of murders were committed by loved ones and family. Then came the confession which was a relief. – Why? – We thought we had an answer to what had happened, says the father. He says they were relieved when the verdict came. But the verdict was appealed, and in 1998 “it was the same all over again”, explains the father. Eight weeks have been set aside in the trial against the 52-year-old man who is now charged with the murder of his daughter. – I hope they have done the right thing now, says the father. – Crying, despair and hopelessness Earlier on Tuesday, welfare lawyer Erik Lea gave an introductory lecture in which he summarized the despair the parents have lived with for over 27 years. – It is so totally destructive to life. There is sadness, crying, despair and hopelessness. Life loses meaning, sometimes any meaning. It is paralyzing, it is disbelief, it is hopeless and dark, described the aid lawyer. ASSISTANCE ATTORNEY: Erik Lea is one of two assistance attorneys for Karin and Torger Tengs. Photo: Marthe Synnøve Johannessen / news Karin and Torger Tengs sat in courtroom 14 in Haugaland district court both days. This is the third time they appear in court after their daughter was killed in May 1995. The 52-year-old is the second man the police have accused and prosecuted for the daughter’s murder. Birgitte Teng’s cousin was initially convicted of the murder, but appealed, and was later acquitted in the Court of Appeal. Lea says that the only thing the parents want is to get an answer, and that they have been determined to follow their daughter through everything. – Once again, they will have to suffer through a trial. Both Karin and Torger were born in 1958. They were 20 when Birgitte was born, they were 37 when she was taken from them. Now they are 64 years old, and the case is not over yet, says Lea. The public prosecutor said that they would not call any witnesses during the eight-week trial, but that Torger Tengs wanted to give a statement. Birgitte Tengs was found murdered on 6 May 1995. A 52-year-old man from Karmøy is now charged in the Tengs case, and the trial begins on Monday 7 November 2022.
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– The short version is that I’m having a great time – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
