Norwegian mass killer criminally insane, say experts
Breivik could face mental institution, not jail; court can challenge psychiatric opinion.
By REUTERSNorway Killer 311(photo credit: REUTERS)
OSLO - Court-appointed psychiatrists have concluded that Norwegian mass killer Anders Behring Breivik is criminally insane, a prosecutor said on Tuesday, meaning he may be committed to a psychiatric institution indefinitely rather than sent to jail.Breivik killed 77 people in July by bombing central Oslo and then gunning down dozens of mostly teenagers at a summer camp for the ruling Labor Party's youth wing.RELATED:Norway mass killer wants time in court to tell whyEditorial: Norway’s challenge"The conclusion is ... is that he is insane," prosecutor Svein Holden told a news conference. "He lives in his own delusional universe and his thoughts and acts are governed by this universe."If the court accepts the psychiatrists' conclusions, the anti-immigration militant could be held as long as he poses a threat to society and may be released if found to be healthy.Norwegian courts can challenge psychiatric evaluations or order new tests but it is rare for them to reject such a professional opinion.
If the evaluation is upheld, Breivik would not be put on criminal trial but would face a court hearing to rule on his criminal insanity and the length of his commitment to a psychiatric institution.Breivik could then face similar hearings periodically to determine if he needs to remain committed, and could be held for life if he remained a threat.Holden said Breivik had developed paranoid schizophrenia and was psychotic at the time of the attacks, and that his condition was persisting.
