Rolf Nordmo in appellate court: "I cannot explain why I shot" – murder conviction contested
Rolf Nordmo admitted in appellate court to shooting Janne Puhakka, but is unable to explain his actions. The hearing continues next week.
Nordmo in appellate court: admits to shots, denies murder as intentional
According to Google News FI — Crime, the hearing in the Helsinki Court of Appeal concerning the homicide of Janne Puhakka continued on Wednesday, with Puhakka's sister, father, and former partner Rolf Nordmo being heard as witnesses.
Nordmo was convicted of murder by the West Uusimaa District Court in April 2025. He appealed the verdict against the wishes of Puhakka's family and admits to the act being manslaughter — not murder.
At the hearing, Nordmo stated that he was unable to explain why he shot Puhakka. When asked, he admitted to feeling relief after the bloodshed. According to Nordmo, the act occurred in seconds: he fetched a weapon from the kitchen, loaded it, removed the safety catch, and fired.
"I only remember one shot and Puhakka lying on the ground," Nordmo said. He also recounted striking Puhakka with the weapon on the head, perhaps in a fit of rage.
Nordmo says he does not remember a second shot, but admits it occurred.
"How could anyone deny it, since it appears in the autopsy report," he stated in court.
The prosecution seeks confirmation of the district court's verdict. The prosecution and the victim's family also consider that the murder was committed with careful deliberation and in an exceptionally cruel manner — beyond merely an especially brutal method of commission.
The background to the act is the end of the relationship between Puhakka and Nordmo. Nordmo asked for forgiveness from Puhakka's family at the hearing for his actions. The proceedings in the Helsinki Court of Appeal continue next week.
Source: Google News FI — Crime (fi)