Wants audio recordings and mysterious letters to be investigated – VG

20 years after the Baneheia killings in Kristiansand, it is relevant that The Oslo police will launch a new investigation.

After Viggo Kristiansen was convicted of murder got his case resumed, there may be new investigations into DNA traces and the so-called telephone evidence. New interrogations may also be relevant.

Kristiansen’s supporters, with lawyer Arvid Sjødin in front, will submit a list of investigative steps they want the new investigators to carry out.

Sjødin informs VG that the following investigative steps will be on the list:

• An audio recording of a witness statement. Viggo Kristiansen supporters believe the recording is very relevant. The audio recording is mentioned in Bjørn Olav Jahr’s book «The murders in Baneheia – two stories, one truth», where the author argues that Kristiansen is innocent. According to the book, the witness claims that Jan Helge Andersen told that Viggo Kristiansen was not involved in the killings. Andersen recently stated that he stands by his explanation that Kristiansen was the “principal”.
• Mysterious anonymous letters, received by the circle around Kristiansen. The person claims to be sitting on important information about what happened in Baneheia and Jan Helge Andersen’s explanation, according to lawyer Sjødin.
• New DNA tests. Sjødin wants the police to review DNA findings that are with FHI, and which have not been investigated during the commission’s processing of the case.

New interrogations?

Jan Helge Andersen, who has completed his prison sentence, recently hired Svein Holden as his lawyer.

– Andersen maintains that he has explained himself correctly about Kristiansen’s role in the case. He has not explained himself differently to anyone else, and that also applies to this person, Holden says about the audio recording.

Kristiansen’s supporters also want other specific tips they have received over the years to be reviewed by the police now.

– I will be in contact with those who will investigate the case to get it informed in a good way. I want them to investigate a number of circumstances that have emerged after the verdict, and which have not been investigated, says lawyer Sjødin.

– Do you want Viggo Kristiansen to be questioned again?

– If they need to interrogate him, he will show up. Then I must be present.

– Do you want Jan Helge Andersen to be questioned before a possible trial?

– It will be up to the police to decide, but I think it is probably relevant, says Sjødin. He believes that modern interrogation techniques can be positive for the case.

State Attorney Andreas Schei will await Sjødin’s request before commenting on the individual possible investigative steps.

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Skeptical of explanations

Kristiansen and his friend Jan Helge Andersen were convicted of raping and killing Lena Sløgedal Paulsen (10) and Stine Sofie Sørstrønen (8) in Baneheia in Kristiansand. Kristiansen was sentenced in Agder Court of Appeal in 2002 to 21 years in detention, while Andersen was sentenced to 19 years in prison.

Andersen has finished serving his sentence, and stands by his explanation that Viggo Kristiansen was the “principal”.

Kristiansen denies having been involved in the killings, and recently the case was resumed, because the majority of the Resumption Commission believes there is a reasonable possibility that Kristiansen would have been acquitted, if the Court of Appeal had been aware of the new evidence now available.

At the same time, the majority writes that overall there are a number of factors that suggest that Kristiansen is guilty.

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The commission describes Kristiansen’s behavior on the day of the murder as suspicious, and they are skeptical of several of his explanations in police interrogations.

“These may be marked by Kristiansen trying to maintain an alibi history, which he has agreed with Andersen, and that he must adjust this as he receives new information,” the commission writes.

In the months ahead, the prosecution will review the case and decide whether they want to run a new trial against Kristiansen, or file a claim for acquittal.

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