Rolf Nordmo, accused of murder, spoke about his relationship with Janne Puhakka in the Court of Appeal
Rolf Nordmo, 68, was heard in Helsinki Court of Appeal in a murder case in which he is accused of killing Janne Puhakka, a former ice-hockey player.
Nordmo described his relationship and financial difficulties in the Court of Appeal
Helsinki Court of Appeal heard 68-year-old Rolf Nordmo, accused of murder, on Wednesday. He is accused of killing Janne Puhakka, a former ice-hockey player. Yle News is covering the trial because Puhakka was a public figure and openly spoke about his relationship with Nordmo.
Before Nordmo's statement in court, Puhakka's father and sister were heard in the morning. Norwegian veterinarian Nordmo began his statement in tears, wearing a dark jacket.
"I want to say to the family that I am truly sorry for what happened. I understand very well the pain you are going through. I have experienced it myself. I am so sorry."
Nine years together, the final year the hardest
According to Nordmo, his and Puhakka's relationship was extremely good for years. They had shared hobbies and friends, and despite a 37-year age difference, Nordmo felt he was accepted by Puhakka's family.
"Those were nine of the best years of my life, and the final year was the worst."
Nordmo said that during the relationship he had paid a large proportion of shared expenses thanks to his good income. He also said he was proud of Puhakka and the way he spoke openly about homosexuality in public.
According to Nordmo, a dark side of the relationship was Puhakka's infidelity, which began after three years of dating. The couple initially lived together in Lauttasaari, after which they purchased a detached house in Henttaa, Espoo, and moved there in October 2022.
Financial difficulties increased tensions
In 2024, Nordmo moved to Finland entirely and quit his job in Norway. However, job hunting in Finland was unsuccessful, and financial difficulties began.
"We both became stressed, and it affected the relationship. I medicated myself by drinking wine in the evenings."
Nordmo said he had suffered from sleep problems and lost his appetite – his weight dropped by ten kilogrammes during the summer. He tried to resolve the situation by selling his cottage in Norway, but the sale did not go through in the summer. The cottage was sold only after Puhakka's death.
The couple tried to repair their relationship on a holiday to the Lofoten Islands in Norway. Puhakka published joint photos from there on social media, which made Nordmo believe the relationship would continue. After the holiday, in August, Puhakka withdrew, and he moved in with his mother on the same day that Nordmo asked him to leave. At the same time, negotiations began on selling the Henttaa house.
Separation and a new man
In September, Puhakka told Nordmo about a new man. According to Nordmo, the new partner's name could not be revealed because he was married to another man and the relationship had begun in June.
"I asked whether the new man had been in our house and in our bed. Yes, he said. I did not become angry. I just became sad."
According to Nordmo, this was the moment when they formally separated. The separation was followed by disputes over the residence of their shared dog Frida and over financial responsibilities.
"That was difficult to bear, because throughout the relationship I had paid for the majority of everything."
Shotgun and contested account
On Monday, the Court of Appeal read messages in which Nordmo spoke of killing Puhakka. According to prosecutors and the victim's family members, the messages demonstrate planning of the act, whereas Nordmo's defence argues they were humorous. The messages will be discussed further in a closed part of Nordmo's hearing.
Nordmo brought a shotgun from Norway to Finland on 7 October 2024 – a week before the homicide. Prosecutors and Puhakka's family members believe the weapon was brought specifically to kill Puhakka. Nordmo denies this and says he brought the weapon for hunting.
According to Nordmo, Frida's trainer had suggested hunting on his land in Raahe, and a hunting invitation was needed as the basis for lawfully importing the weapon.
"For that purpose I had to bring the shotgun to Finland and I worked out how I could do so legally."
According to representatives of the victim's family members, the account of bringing the weapon for hunting purposes is implausible. Nordmo says he has hunted extensively since the age of 16, although Puhakka's family members were not aware of this hobby.
Upon returning to Henttaa – signs of a visitor
According to Nordmo, he had asked Puhakka not to bring his new man to their Henttaa house while he was in Norway. Upon returning, he says he observed several signs in the house that it had been used without him.
Yle News reports that the trial is also being followed for broader societal reasons: intimate partner violence is a serious problem in Finland, and homicide is its most extreme manifestation. Puhakka's family members intend to confront Nordmo closely in later stages of the hearing.
Source: Yle Uutiset