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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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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.

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