Anders Breivik

[Rob]

The mass murderer Anders Breivik has been sentenced to 21 years in prison after a court in Norway found him to be sane.
He's sane?

[MarkCDodd]

Yes, he is legally sane. He knew his actions were against the law and knew of the possible consequences.

That adds up to only 17 weeks for each person he murdered.

[linell]

I did hear someone say that he will never be let out of Prison though! Let him rot there

Linell.

[Rob]

Good morning Lin!! x
If that's the case why not say that? Why say 21years with a minimum of 10 years!

[MarkCDodd]

Because they have to introduce new legislation to be able to keep him in jail. We have had to do the same thin in Oz for some mass murderers.

[Rob]

So this new legislation is really just a formality?
If the guy had been found insane ( of which he clearly is ) wouldn't that have made it easier to give him life?

[MarkCDodd]

Insane would have meant he was locked away in a secure facility until a board of Doctors deemed him safe. That could have been in two months or never.

The legislation is not a formality as it has to pass through parliament like any other item.

[gardener]

The way the press report it here is that 21 years is the maximum possible prison sentence in Norway. Once that is done they will have to show that he will be a danger to society if released. That will have to be done in a law court and then he will be put in a secure unit for the mentally ill. No doubt the situation will have to be reassessed at intervals after that - I think I saw every five years somewhere. I've not seen anything about new legislation though?
Just as well it wasn't here because the maximum sentence here is 16 years!

[MarkCDodd]

I am just assuming it was the same as Oz. We could no longer sentence somebody "to the term of their natural life" so needed legislation to keep them in jail indefinitely.

You say they will put him into a secure mental institution. Perhaps legislation would be need to keep him in a maximum security prison where he belongs.

16 years maximum for murder!!! That is a bit soft.

[grangers14]

That smirk he had in court and after he looked at parents and family of the people he killed!
Disgussting animal.
Made me feel physically sick.
Jo

[Rob]

Would executing him make us feel better or the fact that he will hopefully be encarcerated for the rest of his natural life?
I know i'm glad that the Moors Murderer Ian Brady is still alive.

[MarkCDodd]

Capital punishment is abhorrent and senseless.

It does not act as a deterrent and the USA are constantly having wrongfully convicted people rescued from death row.

[Lulu]

It makes me wonder, what exactly is the definition of "Sane"? For me, knowing what you are doing doesn't mean you are sane. Some people are defined as "Evil" but I don't understand that either. Pre-meditated murder is totally beyond my comprehension.

[snoopysue]

Good morning Lin!! x
If that's the case why not say that? Why say 21years with a minimum of 10 years!

It's also been said that the sentence will be taken up and reviewed nearer his "release date" and if he's seen to be a threat to the general public, then it can be lengthened.
In suppose in other words if he's still insistant on his crime being a legitimate act of war, then he wont be let out. Doubt if he'd last long if he was!

[MarkCDodd]

In legal terms it is easy. Does the person know what they did was wrong before they committed the crime? Obviously somebody who has voices telling them to do something and is demonstrably paranoid and/or schizophrenic can't be held morally responsible for their actions. They did not make a moral choice leading up to their actions. The fact that this bloke created a diversion immediately said he was not insane. Insane acts are not premeditated. Evil is somebody who deliberately acts against the morals of society for whatever gain they pursue.