Unlikely That Norwegian Terrorist Will Be Declared Legally Insane
- Posted on July 31, 2011 at 6:01pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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It’s unlikely that the extremist who admitted killing dozens in Norway last week will be declared legally insane because he appears to have been in control of his actions, the head of the panel that will review his psychiatric evaluation told The Associated Press.
The decision on Anders Behring Breivik’s mental state will determine whether he can be held criminally liable and punished with a prison sentence or sent to a psychiatric ward for treatment.
The July 22 attacks were so carefully planned and executed that it would be difficult to argue they were the work of a delusional madman, said Dr. Tarjei Rygnestad, who heads the Norwegian Board of Forensic Medicine.
In Norway, an insanity defense requires that a defendant be in a state of psychosis while committing the crime with which he or she is charged. That means the defendant has lost contact with reality to the point that he’s no longer in control of his own actions.
“It’s not very likely he was psychotic,” Rygnestad told the AP.
The forensic board must review and approve the examination by two court-appointed psychiatrists before the report goes to the judge hearing the case. The judge will then decide whether Breivik can be held criminally liable.
Rygnestad told the AP a psychotic person can only perform simple tasks. Even driving from downtown Oslo to the lake northwest of the capital, where Breivik opened fire at a political youth camp, would be too complicated.
“If you have voices in your head telling you to do this and that, it will disturb everything, and driving a car is very complex,” Rygnestad said.
“How he prepared” for the rampage – meticulously acquiring the materials and skills he needed to carry out his attack while maintaining silence to avoid detection – argues against psychosis, Rygnestad added.
By his own account, the 32-year-old Norwegian spent years plotting the attack. On July 22, he set off a car bomb that killed eight people in downtown Oslo’s government district, then drove north to a youth camp on Utoya, a small lake island set amid a quiet countryside of pines and spruces.
There, he spent 90 minutes executing 69 people, mostly teenage members of the youth wing of Norway’s governing Labor Party.
In a 1,500-page manifesto released just before the attacks, Breivik describes his two-pronged attack as the opening salvos of a new crusade that, by 2083, will purge Europe of Muslims and the “cultural Marxists” he complains are letting them have the run of the continent.
Breivik, who is being held pending trial, has admitted to the facts of the case, but denies criminal guilt because he believes the massacre was necessary to save Norway and Europe, his defense attorney Geir Lippestad said, hinting at a possible insanity defense.
“This whole case has indicated that he’s insane,” Lippestad told reporters last week.
Lippestad did not return calls over the weekend seeking reaction to Rygnestad’s comments.
On Sunday, a Twitter account under Breivik’s name appeared to be hacked into.
“This twitter account has been seized by (hashtag) NORIA“ and ”this twitter account will be deleted soon,” two of the postings said.
“We want Anders to be forgotten. Labels like “monster”, or “maniac” won’t do either. Media should call him pathetic; a nothing. (hashtag) Forgethim.”
Previously, the account had only one tweet, on July 17, loosely citing English philosopher John Stuart Mill: “One person with a belief is equal to the force of 100,000 who have only interests.”
If tried and convicted of terrorism, Breivik will face up to 21 years in prison or an alternative custody arrangement that could keep him behind bars indefinitely.
If he is declared insane, a judge could order him institutionalized in a psychiatric ward only so long as he is deemed mentally ill, though Norway does have provisions for keeping dangerous, but no longer insane, people in custody even after they’re discharged from the hospital.
Judging by his manifesto, it’s not likely that Breivik would want to pursue an insanity defense if it were up to him. He anticipates that, after his attack, he will be labeled “psycho,“ ”maniac“ and ”insane.”
“I have an extremely strong psyche (stronger than anyone I have ever known),” he wrote.
Two Norwegian psychiatrists selected by the court this week are set to complete their evaluation of Breivik by Nov. 1.
To prove insanity, most American courts require that the defendant be possessed by an “irresistible impulse” to commit the alleged crime – a mental illness that prevented the defendant from controlling his or her actions.
Timothy McVeigh killed 168 people when he set off a car bomb, similar in many ways to Breivik’s, that tore through the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City in 1995.
“Timothy thought he was starting a revolution, too,” said Dr. Seymour L. Halleck, a forensic psychiatrist who examined McVeigh to determine whether he was competent to stand trial.
To carry out such an attack, “you need a certain kind of competency and determination – and some need to make a mark on the world,” Halleck said. “There was nothing we found psychotic about Timothy McVeigh.”
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The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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Comments (57)
Tacitus42
Posted on August 1, 2011 at 1:54amhttp://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2011/07/summer-camp-indoctrination-training-center.html
Report Post »ForeignWatcher
Posted on August 1, 2011 at 2:45amYeah, kill of those socialist bastirds, they deserve no better!
Report Post »pwatkins
Posted on August 1, 2011 at 1:01amI agree with BIGJAYINPA, but doubt the truth will ever be told bc what they claim he was fighting has already gone too far. I pray for those that lost family members and pray that the truth will surface in the US so our country will learn from this before it is too late for us all. God Bless America! I stand with Israel.
Report Post »Sjah
Posted on August 1, 2011 at 12:57amWow is all I have to say. This attack needed planning, motivation, resources, timing and most importantly a clear thinking person to orchestrate and implement. A truly insane person does not have these qualities. This is very very fishy.
Report Post »Dougral Supports Israel
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 9:01pmHe’s not insane, he is evil.
Report Post »johnsell
Posted on August 1, 2011 at 4:36amOh he’s insane, for anybody to commit such an atrocity is insanity, however he is also evil in that his act could in no way have been performed to preserve his personal life.
Report Post »tifosa
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 7:56pmGee, what does that say about blazers who defended (yes, defended) the guy here: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/see-the-video-anders-behring-breivik-posted-before-the-norway-massacre/
Report Post »jzs
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 10:50pmTIFOSA, thanks for the link. Everybody should go back and read the thread (the webite prevented me from responding to him another time). DoctorsLabor in particular did the AM radio host trick of saying the individual should be condemned (the fall back statement in case you’re challenged) but the entire rest of his post defending this person as proactively murdering teenagers before they “violated the inalienable rights” of others.
On the whole, the right wing made token statements about how this guy was crazy (not and Christians, not a conservative, not a dedicated follower of right wing anti-Muslim FOX and right ring bloggers), and then tried to explain how his actions were justified.
Report Post »ForeignWatcher
Posted on August 1, 2011 at 2:45amJust take a look at the very thread you are posting in here. Just as bad…
Report Post »Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 7:47pmHe laid out a very cogent, concise list of real concerns and an ignorance that prevails regarding Islamic calls for Jihad in all it’s forms http://www.stopshariahnow.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=92&Itemid=128 most notably migration and a population explosion to vote Islamic law and Annihilation of all religions (Islam is a false religion, a political system of subjugation).
Report Post »He is anything but insane. How convenient that one who is alarmed at Islam’s leaders call for all forms of Jihad against the West be labeled “insane”
He called for DEFENSE against Islam’s war against the West. He is 100% correct, minus the eye for an eye part!~
mramise
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 7:25pmAnd he is not a Christian too so he notes himself………..
Report Post »BIGJAYINPA
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 7:45pmI still say this guy is a plant of the Progressive Left designed to make Conservatives and Christians look evil and dangerous. He comes out of nowhere, acquires weapons and explosives in a highly regulated socialist European country. Plants his car bomb in front of their version of the Capitol building, walks away without attracking attention, goes to an island campground, is allowed on and proceeds to spend one and one half hours unmolested while he kills 70 some people. Call me paranoid if you will but when I hear hoof beats I don’t automaticly think ZEBRA. Too many peices don’t fit and I sense a spooky prescience in this…Just sayin’
Report Post »Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 7:49pmWhatever he is – He has called for an end to Islamic declared Jihad and it’s ever ongoing assault on the West.. That makes him more coherent than most people in Washington.
Report Post »ForeignWatcher
Posted on August 1, 2011 at 2:44amJippjipp, Norway is in fact a socialist country, you are right. We here in Europe are in fact ALL socialists… And yes, what you call “regulation”, we call police state.
And its absolutly impossible to get fertilizer in our socialist paradises, more so over the course of nine years. BTW, he just got his guns legally. He could not go into a shop and buy it right there, but you know, he had 9 years…
How about reading up on the story before you make Soros rsponsible. BTW, how sublte of you…
Report Post »Jack2011
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 7:23pm2 Reasons to Find him Insane
1. Gives them the right to lock him up forever.
If they tried him – THE MOST ANY CRIMINAL gets is 21 years – including him. Norway would be the laughing stock of the world.
2. He cannot tell the world EXACTLY how muslims are destroying Norway’s culture and Europes and replacing it with Sharia Law and how their birthrate is doubled/triple what native European birth rates are. And, tell EXACTLY HOW the reigning Labor Party political class – through politically correctness – is allowing Norway to be taken over by Islam. The Europeans KNOW IT – they are scared but LIKE US WITH OUR DEBT and fascist president – the majority of people HIDE FROM THE TRUTH.
Report Post »mramise
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 7:21pmI think we should build a church on the site of the incident, which will show respect and demonstrates that no ill will is being harbored against the Christian community regarding this matter. Just like they islamic community is doing in New York City. Perhaps it could also double a cultural center too. Nothing large just 25 stories over the entire island where is happened, but remember we must be tolerant of the Christian community.
Report Post »Libby Tarian
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 7:18pmHe even knew the inept police would take 90 minutes to get several yards…I could not believe they did not fire all top policemen or women.
Report Post »affinnity
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 6:59pmI don‘t believe he is a Christian and I don’t believe he is insane. He should be prosecuted to the full extent of Norwegian law.
Report Post »rose-ellen
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 7:49pmHe is what you all are [21stc genocidal anti-semites- against muslims this time [and you're no christians either].Andl like there you’re political elites rein you in.And thouse muslims freely walk your streets![in FULL muslim garb in america]. .
Report Post »cromag11b
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 6:51pmand then out come all his supporters…
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 7:04pmUnfortunately he will be prosecuted and serve 21 years. That’s all he will get. But it’s their laws and they have to live with it.
Report Post »semidisk
Posted on August 1, 2011 at 7:21amActually the sentence can be extended every five years for another 21 years. He’ll have a life sentence in all but name.
Report Post »Jack2011
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 6:49pmInsane? He is about as insane as Casey Anthony. Both knew EXACTLY what they were doing but had different reasons for killing.
Norway political base was TERRIFIED to have a trail.
This guy would be given a PLATFORM to discuss exactly why he killed the people in government (yes those 15-25 year olds at the “camp” were part of the government labor party movement).
This guy will tell Norway and the world EXACTLY how Norway (and Europe’s) culture is being undermined and their countries overrun by muslims.
Worse, for Norway’s IN CHARGE NOW Labor Party, this guy in a trial WOULD SPELL OUT EXACTLY how the labor party is helping the muslims trash Norway’s culture and replace it with islam because the labor party is too weak and politically correct to do anything else.
Norway current political party DOES NOT WANT to face that prospect. Better to find him insane..
Report Post »YepImaConservative
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 6:48pmThis dude looks like David Duchovny… maybe in his mind he was fighting an alien invasion… so to speak.
Report Post »Ron_WA
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 7:19pmNo. Hasn’t anyone else noticed? He looks like the brother or twin of Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks dude!
Report Post »WARRIORSCROWN
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 6:46pmInsane… no. Evil… yes.
Report Post »mossbrain
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 6:46pmIt’s the Muslims who are insane. Islam has distorted their consciousness to the point of all Muslims being an obscenity in the eyes of God. Their minds are grotesque perversions of a normal human mind.
Report Post »Ronko
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 6:36pmIf he’s insane, then Barrack Obama’s a Republican, Fat chance on both happening.
Report Post »Corrigenda
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 6:34pmWe have to let Norway deal with this unless any aspect touches upon International law. On one level, the guy has to be mentally unhinged to even believe that he has to do such things but that might not be sufficient to ‘qualify’ for being ‘legally insane’.
We are all disturbed and outraged by what happened in Norway and Norway must take steps to identify anything that might have triggered such an extreme reaction. One thing about that which troubles me and which is rarely being mentioned is why it can be that a country appears to promote the idea of party political gatherings for 14 year olds? To me that smacks of indoctrination. Do many other countries permit or even encourage such things? The Young Republicans are open to those aged only 18 and over, I cannot find a minimum age for the YDA but surely it’s not 14? I am old enough to remember the Hitler Youth which similarly attracted youngsters. I am left to find any such early involvement in politics very concerning. Do others agree?
Report Post »cromag11b
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 6:41pmThere are political & religious caps for children in the states too. As a matter of fact(as in its recorded) Beck promoted some of them.
He is sane. He is just absolutely convinced that people who do not think like he does or agree with him are enemies of the state that are destroying his culture and way of life. Sound familiar? The rhetoric can be found from the people who talk others into strapping on a bomb to this site.
Report Post »tifosa
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 9:46pmOne of the camps is in Tampa, and is BECK’S!
Report Post »ForeignWatcher
Posted on August 1, 2011 at 2:50amBut thats another thing tho, the kids only learn the TRUTH there, they are surely not indoctrinated.
Report Post »Ron_WA
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 6:23pmWhy even bother w/ an insanity defense. Plead not guilty; use the opportunity to grandstand & spout propaganda; get convicted & blog from prison for the next 21 years or less.
Report Post »robert
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 6:34pmI don’t know what the threshold is for insanity in Norway, but this character is just plain nuts.
He says he killed his own people to get people up in arms over Muslims and Muslim immigration? How nutty is that?
And the other reasons he offers are just as idiotic. Something is wrong with this picture. Nothing seems to fit.
He would have done everybody a favor if he had turned the gun on himself when he woke up that morning.
I think there’s far more to this than meets the eye right now.
Report Post »Ron_WA
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 7:04pmNo; I agree he is criminally insane;
he’s a homicidal psychopath but he is likely to be released earlier & exist under fewer restrictions on his ability to spout hate-speech & interact w/ the outside world if he does not go for the insanity plea;
… it would unfortunately offer him greater freedom & a greater platform, better serve his cause to plead not guilty.
Report Post »LibertyMama
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 6:18pmReally? 21 years in prison IF convicted… what’s that, about 4 months for each dead person?
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 6:32pmYes that’s what passes for justice in socialist utopia Norway.
Report Post »libertymeteor
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 6:14pmThis guy is already being called a “Christian Terrorist” by the left……so let me see….there is Tim McVeigh and then this crazy guy from Norway but thousands of Muslim extremist attacks over the past decades and we are supposed to buy into this liberal equivalency? Give me a break…
Report Post »……..be sure to follow the Liberty Meteor or even become a contributor at http://www.LibertyMeteor.com ….
affinnity
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 6:56pmThis is the problem with us talking about this guy. They want us to defend his actions and talk bad about Socialist Norway so they can prove American Conservatives are Right Wing Nazi extremists. This entire event is a Left Wing Conspiracy to draw us in and incriminate ourselves.
Report Post »Erabin
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 7:02pm“They want us to defend his actions”
This has already happened and keeps happening in the comments to this very article.
Report Post »affinnity
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 7:18pmErabin. You’re correct. I‘m leaving this topic now and I don’t plan to ever comment on this guy again because I refuse to fuel and feed the Left Wing machine. Bye, Bye.
Report Post »tifosa
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 9:37pmNon-muslim terrorism far outnumbers, in frequency, Muslim terrorism. Just not on RW propaganda sites.
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 6:13pm“….On July 22, he set off a car bomb that killed eight people in downtown Oslo’s government district, then drove north to a youth camp on Utoya, a small lake island set amid a quiet countryside of pines and spruces…..”
How do you drive to an island? The police had to use boats and that took 90 minutes or so. Insane? NO. Magician Yes!
Report Post »affinnity
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 7:07pmThe entire story sounds fishy to me. All photos are different, all stories are different and the timeline makes no sense at all. I agree with you – he’s not insane.
Report Post »ForeignWatcher
Posted on August 1, 2011 at 3:12amHow about reading some real ews sites the affinnity? The timeline is coherent, as is the story, which is rather easy… Its a plain and simple story for the rest of the world…
Report Post »calebgs83
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 6:13pmHe is clearly not insane. His thoughts were coherent and cogent. His country and culture are being destroyed, and he fought to defend it, unfortunately, in a terrible way.
Report Post »mossbrain
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 6:42pmYes
Report Post »rose-ellen
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 7:51pmThat’s how i felt on 9-11.
Report Post »Talmid of Yeshua
Posted on August 1, 2011 at 11:01amRose-Ellen,
That is how you felt on 9/11? That the Muslims were just defending their country and culture? If you are American, you are a traitor and a seditionist, and should be treated as one.
That is unless I misunderstood your statement.
Report Post »Beckett
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 6:08pmHe does not seem insane.
Report Post »MODEL82A1
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 6:05pmIt’s Norway, who cares. Not our legal business.
Report Post »affinnity
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 6:52pmI agree it really isn’t any of our business.
Report Post »