State prosecutor Andreas Schei (front), parents Klara Sløgedal (centre) and Ada Sofie Austegard during the trial against Jan Helge Andersen in Sør-Rogaland district court. On the left is their assistance lawyer Håkon Brækhus. Photo: Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB
Of NTB | 18.04.2024 13:23:46
Crime and justice: – There are strong things that have come to light. Andersen has explained himself about the assaults and murders, and this was of course heavy and difficult for the parents to listen to. I think the whole hall was moved by what was heard, because this was strong and difficult to listen to, says Audun Beckstrøm to NTB.
He is legal aid for the parents of Lena Sløgedal Paulsen (10) and Stine Sofie Sørstrønen (8).
The parents of the two girls are present in Sør-Rogaland district court on Thursday and have heard how Jan Helge Andersen has explained in detail how he assaulted and killed Sørstrønen. Her mother wept silently as Andersen described the act of murder.
Andersen maintains that he felt threatened with his life by his comrade Viggo Kristiansen to commit the crime, and that Kristiansen killed Paulsen. Kristiansen was acquitted of the crime in 2022 after being found guilty in 2002.
– There is nothing surprising in this, says Beckstrøm.
– Much of this is already known to a certain extent, but it is special to hear him sitting in the witness box and talking about this as he is doing now, he says.
Viggo Kristiansen’s assistance lawyer Brynjar Meling is critical of Andersen’s explanation.
– It shows how very problematic this is in terms of Kristiansen’s situation, when he once again has to have these false accusations published in the media in this way based on Andersen’s explanation, says Meling.
(© NTB)