Norway killer gets 21 years

[lulu]

The man who killed 77 people in Norway has been sentenced to 21 years, which is apparently the maximum sentence. He told the Judge he wished he had killed more people. He'll be out of jail in his early 50s. What's wrong with this picture?


http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/25/world/europe/anders-behring-breivik-murder-trial.html

 

[sonnyjane]

Hmmph. I mean, in my opinion, there is NO sentence that would be enough to compensate for his actions, but 21 years certainly doesn't even seem close.

 

[kenny]

After reading that article it sounds like people in the country are fine with the sentence.

Countries vary.

 

[Enerchi]

It just doesn't seem fair justice for those 77 lives he took. And wished he'd taken more! 21 years almost seems like a slap on the wrist.

 

[lulu]

It's not the time that worries me. He'll kill more people when he gets out.

 

[justginger]

The news story I heard on the radio presented an interesting scenario. It stated his sentence was the max possible, with parole possible in 10 years. But without any real explanation, it also stated that at the end of the sentence, if 'they' (the elusive powers who be) weren't satisfied that he was a non-threat, he would not be released into society.

So they give him another sentence? Or send him to a psychiatric ward?

I also feel it is a light sentence, but if the locals accept it, 'tis not the business of the rest of the world.

 

[junebug17]

He won't necessarily be released in 21 years - this is from the article:

However, his demeanor, testimony and declaration that he would have liked to kill more people helped convince the judges that, however lenient the sentence seems, Mr. Breivik is unlikely ever to be released from prison. He could be kept there indefinitely by judges adding a succession of five-year extensions to his sentence.

 

[justginger]

Excellent clarification, junebug. So in reality he's received a life sentence, barring miraculous mental rehabilitation.

 

[Jennifer W]

Yes, from what I've read, he won't be likely to leave prison. He received the maximum primary sentence, and after 21 years, this will be be reviewed every five years.

Because he was not held to be insane (in a legal sense, rather than acting rationally, obviously) he isn't eligible for treatment and release either. This was something that people were worried about, that he could be treated in secure psychiatric accommodation and released, rather than imprisoned.

The sentence is the one that many of the victims families had hoped for.

 

[Enerchi]

I must have missed that detail ( ) but I'm glad the sentence can be renewed. It seems highly unlikely this killer will EVER have remorse or a successful rehabilitation. 21 years with 5 extra years tagged on repeatedly? I'm good with that.

 

[lulu]

I should have read more carefully. Feeling better now.

 

[Tuckins1]

That's it? Seems like he should have gotten more...

ETA: just read the extension stuff. At least he most likely will never be a free man again.