Mad or evil? And does it make a difference?

Discussion at work today about whether Anders Behring Breivik should be locked in a dark room for 60 years or publicly shot. Or possibly fed to wolves. That was then slightly overtaken by hearing that, under Norwegian law, the maximum sentence for criminal acts is only 21 years, or, for terrorism, 30 years. Neither seems long enough somehow. What's more, 21 years can become a mere 12 for good behaviour. IF he is charged as a criminal though, the courts can apparently ask for preventative detention which is reviewed every five years. In theory that can mean an actual life sentence, but in Norwegian history it has NEVER happened.

Or they can charge him as a terrorist. 30 years but no further detention is then allowed so, at 62, he would walk free having paid his dues.

I have no personal axe to grind, I don't have any Norwegian friends or relations, I just sit here as a shocked human being and I really don't know what I think should be done. Any ideas?

[MisterTommyH]

But is that 21 years per offense? In which case surely he's got to serve that 92 times?

Heard they're also thinking about charging him with crimes against humanity. Not sure what that is, but sounds like something that they could make up a harsher sentence for. Or send him to the Hague? Don't agree with the death penalty though - maybe on the sly, but not publicly sanctioned.

[andrewsmith]

Personally I think Norwegian law will see a president where life means life.

It will depend on how they charge them. But their criminal laws is massively different to the UK. Here you can be put in for jail with follow on sentences to allow 'life means life' but this hasn't been done since the 70's and 80's with the IRA

[andrewsmith]

Originally Posted by Tommy H

But is that 21 years per offense? In which case surely he's got to serve that 92 times?

Heard they're also thinking about charging him with crimes against humanity. Not sure what that is, but sounds like something that they could make up a harsher sentence for. Or send him to the Hague? Don't agree with the death penalty though - maybe on the sly, but not publicly sanctioned.

murder is 21 years max total

Originally Posted by andrewsmith

murder is 21 years max total

Sadly true. 2 people or 200 is still just 21 years.

[Bri w]

In the UK if he was found to be insane he could be kept locked up at her majesty's pleasure for life, meaning life, or until he is assessed as being sane and would then be assessed for parole aka Brady/Sutcliffe. I would expect that Norway has something similar that would protect society from fruitcakes.

[yorkie_chris]

With the amount of political influence he's got on the wrong side of do you think let out early for good behaviour is likely?

Im with Tommy on this, life over here generally is only 15-20 years so no different really, but if they say 15 years for each murder, they just run concurrently.
Or, just try him for 5 murders at a time, that should see him rot like he deserves.
Anyway, this wasnt just murder it was racially motivated terrorism, that carries a 30 year term i believe.

Jail is too good, let a few of the fathers of the kids who were shot go to town on him with some implements, then shoot him.

[Biker Biggles]

I doubt he is mad.Too much rational planning went into this for a fruitcake so that leaves the question of what to do with him.Now Im against the death penalty which is a problem when you get someone who so obviously deserves it but its a mark of a civilised society if they can get around that.Norway is a rich country and they can afford to lock him up until such time as he cant do anyone any harm.About 80 years should do it.

[yorkie_chris]

With such an idealogically motivated nutter of the sort we haven't seen since the far-right and -left were regularly having a ding dong and engaging in terrorism I think the worst punishment for him would be to have a quiet and private trial and lock him up without fanfare until he's dead without chance to air his views.