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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.

 
 
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Anders Behring Breivik is currently standing trial in Oslo Norway for the acts of terror he carried out in July 2012. Murdering 77 people for what he believed to be a political purpose, almost as a religious crusade, the court has been trying to pin him down about an alleged European network of extremists.

Day three in court began again with Breivik making his now trade mark closed fist salute. The act of defiance or political martyrdom perhaps. The man it seems is either very clever, very foolish or very mad. Maybe he is all three to differing extents.

Today, April 18, 2012, Breivik has made claims that he worked with an English mentor who he allegedly met in London during a 2002 visit. As the prosecution tried to find fault with his evidence Breivik asked not to be ridiculed. The prosecution currently is attempting to show Anders as something of a fantasist rather than a fanatic. A "Walter Mitty" character almost.

As the prosecution kept up the pressure Breivik said in an agitated manner, "I have told more to police than I wanted to about the networks," he said. "It is not in my interest to shed light on anything that could lead to other arrests.

As the court tries to get to the heart of Breivik, that is find out just who Anders is, He continues to make wild claims. At times the courtroom has been filled with laughter at his statements. At others it has had a chilling feel to it. He claims to be a militant Christian. The two words in most people's minds would be a contradiction.  He is however plainly a racist who also belives in a pure Norwegian race. Of course he believes that he is part of this pure race.

As Breivik continues to maintain that he would carry out the attacks again there is no doubt that he is guilty of the attacks, deaths and injuries. Just what to do with him will be the problem. Much will depend upon whether in the final analysis he is deemed simply insane or evil.

For my money I would keep the cuffs on in court for one thing and deny him the closed fist salute. For another I would make sure his actual words were not reported and so deny him an audience. Of course doing that could run the risk of making him  a hero to other misguided fools.

Tags: Anders Breivik trial, day three in court, Norwegian trial, Norwegian massacre, Oslo court, Utoyea Island