Norwegian mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik is having his final day in Court today, August 24. Breivik killed 77 people, many who were young, plus injured more than 240 others when he went on a killing spree in Norway, July 2011. Apprehended at the scene of the killings on Utoyea Island he never denied his actions. He did however try to justify them as "necessary" to stop the spread of Islam in Europe.

The Court case has revolved around whether or not he was sane at the time of the murders. Many people in Norway viewed a possible verdict of insanity as inappropriate. They tend to view a spell in a mental institution as a  "soft option" rather than an extended period in jail. Norway has no death penalty.

Breivik himself wanted to be declared sane even though he knew he would go to jail. It was part of his plan to persuade the Court and the Public that his actions were not those of a madman but rather those of an intelligent person who was on a divine mission. The verdict that he is sane will do nothing to convince sane people that he acted for the good of all. He acted in a monstrous manner.

He has been sentenced to 21 years in jail with a minimum jail term of 10 years. Not long enough by a long chalk. He is aged 33 and will still relatively young if and when he is released.

At time of writing the last day of the trial is ongoing. Although the verdict has been passed the legalities today will be lengthy. As he was declared sane a fleeting smile touched Breivik's lips.

Opinion: The far right around the World, who are so quick to attack Islam and Muslims, should remember that they are no better than the ranting extremists of Islam. Whilst they may use their Western education to play with words the meaning is not wasted on anyone with an ounce of intelligence. There are good and bad in all faiths and all countries. The increase in far right views and their senseless activity is as great a concern as that of terrorists in foreign lands. After all it is how Hitler and his misguided followers gained power.

RIP with thoughts to those injured and the loved ones of the victims.

Political fervor is a strange business. We all live in our own country and on the same planet and so what happens in one country may touch you directly but even if you do not it may indirectly affect you. It is good to have a knowledge of world affairs and form your own opinion rather than being browbeaten into someone elses beliefs but what off extremes?

The far right tends to be thought of as Fascism and the far left Communism. Along the way some people have their ideologies mixed up. When you come across the extreme of either political direction you will know it.

Anders Breivik's politics were to the extreme right. So far to the right that many so called far right groups will have nothing to do with him nor his beliefs. Breivik supposedly in the name of his beliefs shot and killed 77 people, injuring many more, in Norway in 2011. Tomorrow August 23, 2012, he will return to Court to hear the verdict on his crime and his sanity.

The families of his victims want the court to act in what they say would be a "brave" manner and jail Breivik for Life. If he is declared insane he will be sent to a mental institution which some see as a "soft option". That may not necessarily be the case.

Whilst he has been waiting the verdict he has continued to write online his extremist views gathering some misguided followers. Earlier this week it was revealed that in Czech Republic a man  with a similar mission was thankfully intercepted before he could carry out a copycat massacre.

Surely Breivik  should be kept well away from the means to publish his extremist views which will result in the spread of more hatred. There is plenty of hatred spewed online regarding Muslims in Europe without Breivik being allowed to post his views.

Breivik does have some sympathisers and followers who belong to that far right group who are inherent racists. If Breivik is sentenced to life in jail t will be a 20 year sentence which is not long enough. There is no death penalty in the country. He is aged 33 now and so could still wreak havoc in the future.

Teams of psychiatrists do not believe that he is insane so it will be interesting to see tomorrow the outcome of his trial. For the loved ones of his victims it will hopefully offer justice and some closure. No sentence however will be sufficient for the massacre in Norway.
RIP

On July 22, 2011, lone, rogue gunman Anders Breivik went on a killing  spree in Norway. By the time he was apprehended 77 people, including children were dead.  On July 20, 2012, James Holmes went on a killing spree in an Aurora, Colorado cinema. By the time he was apprehended  12 people, including children, were dead.

Both of these cases have similarities. Both gunman were apprehended at the scene. Neither resisted arrested. Both did not die at the scene.

In so many of these cases the perpetrator is killed at the scene of the crime, either at the hands of police or themselves. Many of these gunmen ultimately turn their weapon on themselves.

In 2011 Jared Loughner shot 18 people, including, injured Senator Gabby Giffords, killing six. He too was apprehended at the scene although in his case there was a struggle.

The US appears to on the whole support its peoples right to bear arms. Surely now though the easy access to purchase weapons and ammunition must be being considered.

Well if you think that, then think again. Since Holmes' killing spree the sale of guns in Colorado has increased. Gun classes have reported a surge also. This news may calm fears in the US but it would increase ours. The fact that you could be sat in the cinema with gun toting individuals prepared to use their weapons is worrying to say the least. It is a backward step. One that reverts back to hang em high days and vigilantes. That however is another article. Back to the gunmen.

What happens when these gunmen are captured alive? Obviously a trial follows. That is the justice system. In these cases, were guilt is never in doubt, the trial is more about ascertaining the mental state of the gunman and deciding what punishment will fit the crime.

In Norway there is no death penalty. Breivik will face life in jail or if deemed insane, in a mental institution.

In America the punishment so often depends on the State laws. Again though the trial will ultimately be about trying to find out what caused the attack. Most right minded people would see the ability to turn a gun on other people in such a way as insane. Does this mean that all of these gunman are insane?

The Courts would say no. How you determine the difference between madness and hate though is unclear. Yes psychologists will question, assess, interview and more before declaring sane or not. However if you are evil enough to commit torture, murder and more surely you are insane?

We will all assess the recent murders in a slightly different way but we will all condemn them. Those who do not must surely be insane themselves?

Sane or evil then will be the question. Premeditation in the US case will probably mean that an insanity plea is thrown out. Do you have to be sane to plot evil acts? The courts it seems would say Yes. Most people view a life term in a mental institution as a soft option though that may not be the case.

The trial will be followed with "what do we do with the gunman". In Colorado for Holmes it could be death by lethal injection.

We have no answers but think it must be time for change. It must be time to put in place practices which will prevent such massacres from happening over, and over, and over again. Having more citizens carrying weapons will not do that.

Tags: US gun crime,US politics, Anders Breivik, James Holmes, Aurora Cinema shooting, sane or evil

The latest massacre in the US has opened up the debate on gun control once more. If you look at social media sites, such as Facebook, online it would seem that citizens of the US want to strengthen their constitutional right to bear arms and are not willing to surrender this at any price.

As the World as we know it slowly but surely begins to unravel wanting to protect yourself from would be enemies makes sense. Poor gun control does not. It will after all mean that your enemies will be just as well armed, if not more so, as you.

Of course listening to some Americans gun views does not mean all individuals in that country will agree. Is it simply a gun crazed minority pushing their views out online or are they really speaking for the majority? That is for you to decide. However here are some interesting statistics regarding gun deaths in the USA.

The States was built on gun toting individuals and gangs, if the tales of the Wild West are anything to go by. Back in 1865 President Abraham Lincoln was assasinated by a man carrying a gun. He has not been the last great person to die in such a way.

John F Kennedy, his brother Robert, Presidents James Garfield and William McKinle, and Martin Luther King all died at the hands of gunmen. Men who disagreed with their policies but were incapable of changing things without a gun. Cowards in other words. You can pretty it up however you like but those who carry out assinations are cowards, paid killers, fanatics and more. Terrorists in all but name.

The US is quick to point the finger at terrorists these days but cannot see it was built on such acts.

Currently many of the deaths from guns in the US are either due to crime in poor urban areas or suicides. Yes having a weapon to hand is not ideal when poeple become depressed. As we know all too well some people who become mentally unstable will take their weapons to the people and cause mayhem.

Although there have been some restrictions on gun ownership in the US it has largely failed. Differing levels of control in different States makes little sense. It can be as easy as crossing a border then, to buy what you want.

Like the UK, the US criminal fraternity buy, carry and use guns. In the US gun crime is more widespread.

The figures relating to gun suicide vary. For decades in the 20th Century the incidence of US gun suicides was high. Even so according to wikipedia, "In the United States, firearms remain the most common method of suicide, accounting for 50.7% of all suicides committed during 2006"

Wikipedia go on to claim that "Gun-related death rates in the United States are eight times higher than they are in countries that are economically and politically similar to it. Higher rates are found in developing countries and those with political instability"

The NRA, national rifle association, will fight tooth and nail to retain the US citizens "right to bear arms." After all many people stand to lose out financially if gun laws are changed. Perhaps it will all boil down to money as usual.

The media, in particular US media, is full of stories relating to the Aurora massacre. None however appear to be pushing for gun control change or a re-think. None are able to provide any answers.

Neither can we, but we know 100% that Aurora will not be the last gun massacre in the US. That stands to reason. That is unless there is a fundamental change.

In Europe madmen such as Anders Breivik will go on a killing rampage but it will happen rarely. Look at Norway's history and you will see Breivik was the first and hopefully the last gun toting lunatic in that country.

Can the US say the same of James Holmes?

Tags: US gun control, NRA, US politics, US massacre

The trial of mass killer Anders Breivik in Norway is in its final throes. The 10-week trial is due to end tomorrow, June 22, 2012. For the survivors of his horrific attack on July 22, 2011, the trial has been a necessary evil. They have faced Breivik across the court room stirring up terrible memories of that fateful day.

Breivik killed  77 people, including children, in the bomb and gun rampage he launched. Loved ones of  those who died have also endured being close to Breivik during the trial. All have said that they want justice for those who died.

Deciding just what that justice will be, is the remaining job of the court.

From the start of the trial determining Breivik's state of mind prior to the attack, during the attack and since has been paramount. The verdict of the trial in expected on one of two days, either in July or August.. The disputed issue is Brevik's state of mind. The prosecution are asking that he be declared insane. If the court agrees Breivik will be placed into compulsory psychiatric care. This will mean that he will not face criminal charges for his actions in attacking so many people. In other words he will not be held criminally resposible.

Many eople will claim such a verdict will offer Breivik a soft option. However it is one he deos not want.

Brevik has maintained a not guilty plea throughout the trial. His argument is that his actions were politically motivated. The judges at the trial will have to decide if he is insane or sane and then issue the appropriate sentence.

The Juky 22 massacre is the worst in Norway's peace time history.

Tomorrow June 22, 2012, Brevik's defense team will respond to the prosecution'sclaim that Breivik is insane.


Update: June 22, 2012, the trial ends.
Today Breivik has taken to the stand to protest his sanity. He has maintained yet again that,  "he acted to stop a Muslim invasion, and has asked to be considered sane and to be acquitted."  That statement alone in many people's minds shows how insane he is.

Around 30 people, the family members of Breivik's victims walked out in protest during his testimony. They have had to listen to gut wrenching details, of the murder of their loved ones, throughout this 10-week trial. Their stance today was that Breivik had the right to speak but they did not have to listen to him. They had heard all that was relevant already.

Brevik had to formally ask to be acquitted as he does not accept any guilt. However he talked for 45 minutes detailing his political extremism and hatred of many people. Much of today's evidence, including Breivik's plea statement was not broadcast.

The judges now face the task of deciding whether or not Brevik is sane. Their verdict will be revealed on August 24, 2012.

The trial of mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik is dominating news reports across Europe and other parts of the world. The killing of 77 innocent people was carried out by Breivik, without a shadow of a doubt. The trial however is attempting to ascertain the man's state of mind at the time of the killings. Was he sane, a total madman, a calculated cold blooded killer, misguided or simply evil.

Today April 17, 2012 was the second day of what may become a lengthy trial. Beivik is loving his days in court. He obviously believes that he has the intelligence to be freed from all charges. He has done his research and smiles obnoxiously with each small triumph.

Today that triumph was managing to remove one of the judges from his trial. The male judge had at the time of the murders posted an online message saying that Breivik deserved the death penalty for what he had done. Anders smiled smugly as he won this point.

It will of course prove difficult if not impossible to guarantee Breivik a totally fair trial. The media attention in July 2011, when the murders took place, will have been viewed by most people. It always strikes this blogger as odd that someone who has no respect for the law of the land at all, wants to utilise it when deemed appropriate by themselves.

Breivik began today in court with his clenched fist salute. As soon as the cuffs were released he performed this action. Perhaps tomorrow they should leave the cuffs on and deny him this one small victory. His salute has been viewed as an almost Nazi salute to his extreme right wing brothers and sisters by some. For others it has been seen as an act of defiance. The same salute has been used in the past by those fighting for political freedom such as the black athletes in the 1968 Olympics. Be it purely defiance or Breivik's belief that he is fighting a political cause is unclear. It is after all a familiar left wing, anti fascist pose.

Today Anders told the court that what he did last year, that is the murders, was him "fighting a battle against multi-culturalism and acting out of "goodness, not evil".

SkyNews reporting from the court said Breivik, "Reading from a 13-page document that he wrote in custody, Anders Behring Breivik defended his massacre and called it the most "spectacular attack by a nationalist militant since World War Two".
He said he would repeat his actions again, if he could. "Yes, I would do it again," he said, adding that life in prison or dying for "his people" would be "the biggest honour".

At the core of his beliefs is racial purity. He beliefs in a white Norwegian race. He abhors mutli-culturalism. Breivik also claimed that other one man cells exist in Norway. On the stand Anders tried to turn his evidence into an excuse for a long meandering propaganda statement. The judge had to keep asking that he curtailed his offensive words and cut short his statements. Survivors and loved ones of the murdered, who were in court had a gruelling time.

Although his speech was researched and utilised history it was rambling. SkyNews reported,  "For many people, it was very surprising to hear how soft, almost nasal, his voice was. He didn't appear dangerous in any way."It was very hard to see that this softly spoken man is actually the person who murdered 77 people."

Isn't that the usual case though? 

It is going to be a long and costly trial and that's for sure.

April 16, 2012, Oslo, Norway

Today Anders Behring Breivik has had his "day in court". It will be one of many such days. Painful in the extreme to the loved ones of those murdered by Breivik, the trial is a necessary evil.

There is no doubt that Breivik committed the murders but what is on trial is his sanity and his motives. In spite of being caught red-handed and never claiming that he did not carry out the murders Brevik has pleaded not guilty.

On July 22, 2011, Anders Breivik systematically carried out acts that would directly lead to the deaths of 77 people. Firstly he set off explosions in the Norwegian capital before taking a trip to the nearby island of Utoyea. Here he went on a shooting spree killing many young people.

In some ways the police let the people down. Caught up in the Oslo bomb attack they were not as quick to respond to the second attack as they should have been. Arriving on the island an hour later the destruction was complete. But of course the only person truly responsible for the many deaths was Breivik.

Brevik was uncuffed in court and immediately went into a closed fist communist or defiant salute. He smiled slightly and appeared a calm and quietly spoken individual. He showed no emotion as the names of the dead were read out. The reading of the long list took almost as long as it did for Anders to kill them all.

In his opening words, Anders told the court, "I don't recognise Norwegian courts because you get your mandate from the Norwegian political parties who support multiculturalism." After the names, details and outlines of each death were read out he went on, "I admit to the acts, but not criminal guilt." He then told the court that he had acted in self-defence. 

Throughout his court appearance Breivik showed that he is a well read and intelligent, or perhaps that should be educated, man. He will attempt to claim that he acted in defence. This stems from a Norwegian law which holds the principle of preventive self-defence.  Breivik is anti Muslim and believes that current legislation allows for mass immigration into Norway and a "Muslim takeover".

Breivik will of course hope to use his trial as a platform for his fanatical right wing views.Deemed sane enough to stand trial only recently he has all the hallmarks of a mad man. If tired and found guilty as a sane individual he faces up to 21 years in jail. Most people would expect a much longer jail term for him.

In court today he did finally shed tears and look somewhat emotional but that was when his extreme video footage was played.

More here

Tags: Anders Behring Breivik, Norway, Norwegian, Utoyea, Oslo trial, mad man, right wing extremist, bomb attack