Norway braces for Breivik verdict

His guilt is not in question. His sanity is.

When a court in Norway delivers its verdict on mass killer Anders Behring Breivik on Friday, his sentence will depend on whether he is deemed mad or just bad.

Ellen Bjercke, a senior adviser at Ila Prison in Oslo where Breivik could spend the rest of his life, said:

“We’re planning for three scenarios: Mr Breivik being sentenced to preventive detention. We’re planning for a possible, especially high security level being provided for him. And we’re also planning for him being sentenced to involuntary psychiatric care.”

In custody, right-wing extremist Breivik has had access to a computer, TV and newspapers and a treadmill.

If declared sane, his maximum sentence would be 21 years, although this can be extended if he is seen as a danger to society. If deemed insane, Breivik, who killed 77 people in bomb and gun attacks last year, mainly teenagers, would face indefinite mental care under lock and key.

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