Murder suspect breaks down in court in Mysen – leaves courtroom during mother's emergency call
A man in his 40s is charged with deliberately running over and killing his mother in August last year. Strong evidence was presented on Tuesday at Follo and Nordre Østfold District Court.
Murder suspect breaks down during playback of mother's emergency call in Mysen court
A man in his 40s sits charged with deliberately killing his mother by running her over on 4 August last year. On Tuesday morning, a series of incriminating evidence was presented at Follo and Nordre Østfold District Court in Mysen – and the day had major consequences for both the defendant and the bereaved family, writes nrk.no.
Leaves courtroom during mother's voice
The defendant sat in the courtroom with clenched fists and bowed head as the audio recording of his mother's emergency call to the police was played as the first piece of evidence. In the recording, the woman told the emergency operations centre that her son was under the influence of drugs and had stolen her car.
It was too much for the man. He asked to be exempted from viewing and hearing the remaining video and audio material, and the court granted his request. He left the room.
The other relatives followed the case from an adjoining room in the courthouse. When the court subsequently played surveillance video from a neighbour as well as another dramatic emergency call to the AMK centre, the family chose to mute the sound. None of the bereaved were able to participate when the court later that day visited the crime scene for an inspection.
Defence counsel Lise Ligaard described it as an "exceptionally distressing day" for the family. "They have wanted to understand what actually happened. But they have to protect themselves against the impressions that come," said Ligaard.
Technical evidence and reconstruction
The prosecution spent large parts of Tuesday presenting technical evidence to the judges. Using video recordings, audio clips and advanced data simulations, the police have attempted to map what happened as the car reversed down the slope.
Technical examination of the vehicle showed that the car had no faults that could have affected the course of events. The investigators established that the driver must have actively pressed the accelerator for the car to reverse up the steep slope where the incident began.
According to the reconstruction, the deceased woman may have been dragged almost two metres under the car.
Defendant's account and the court's doubt
The man previously explained during the trial that he experienced "complete panic". According to his own account, the accident happened after his mother opened the passenger door to scold him because he had once again taken her car without permission. In his panic, he claims he confused the accelerator and brake pedals.
The prosecution's theory points in a different direction. The allegation is that the mother was in the way of the open car door when the car began to reverse.
The judge asked the prosecutor to clarify the sequence of events. "Is the hypothesis that the deceased was knocked down by the car door?" the judge asked. The prosecutor replied that there are injuries on the deceased which the pathologist does not find consistent with a simple running-over, and that this forms a central part of the prosecution's main hypothesis.
The defendant's defence counsel, advocate Stian Smidesang, believes the court is not any the wiser after the second day of trial. "What today shows is that no one knows exactly what happened here in August last year. On the basis of images and analyses, various hypotheses have been reached, but a clear picture of exactly what happened has not emerged," said Smidesang.
Compensation claims raised regardless of outcome
Defence counsel Ligaard signals that the family will submit claims for compensation and damages against the defendant. The claim is made on the grounds that he is charged with intentional killing.
"As long as the defendant has at minimum acted with gross negligence, the liability requirement for damages compensation will be satisfied," said Ligaard. She clarified that the final level of compensation will depend on whether the act is sentenced as gross negligence or as intentional killing.
According to schedule, the medical experts are to present the autopsy report on Friday, which is the final day of trial in the case.
Source: Google News DK — Crime (da)