A Norwegian prosecutor requested a 12-year prison sentence for the man accused of killing 20-year-old Linea Bjørnnes. The case involves a 35-year-old defendant facing murder charges in Stjørdal, a municipality in central Norway.
Prosecutor Kaia Standjord stated the defendant was legally responsible despite being intoxicated during the incident. Norwegian law treats intoxication differently than some other legal systems, often holding individuals accountable for crimes committed while under influence.
Forensic psychiatrists determined the accused was not psychotic when the crime occurred. This evaluation means the court can impose criminal punishment rather than mental health care.
The defendant previously denied criminal guilt for the killing. The prosecution had considered requesting compulsory mental health care but changed course based on psychiatric assessments.
This case highlights Norway's legal approach to intoxication and criminal responsibility, where substance use rarely excuses violent crimes. The court must now weigh psychiatric findings against the prosecution's sentencing request.