The defendant now admits criminal guilt for gross violence resulting in the death of his 34-year-old wife, Anette Prydz Sjursen, and for the murder of his daughter, May Elin Prydz Sjursen, according to multiple reports. In court on Wednesday, it emerged that he changed his mind regarding his daughter's case, a shift confirmed by his defender, Hilde Mo, in a text message to NRK. He stated he strangled his wife to death and later that night tried to strangle his daughter, but regretted it during the act and called the police, with the 19-minute emergency call played in court. The daughter died in the hospital five days later.
Forensic pathologist Arne Stray-Pedersen testified on Tuesday, explaining the cause of death. The defendant has been in custody since his arrest on the night of the murder, and a forensic psychiatric examination was conducted, with court-appointed experts believing he was of sound mind during the crimes. According to Romerikes Blad, the experts have warned of a risk of repetition.
I admit criminal guilt for the murder of May Elin based on the information from the autopsy yesterday.
The trial started on Monday, with large parts devoted to the defendant's testimony, where he read out a letter he had written to his daughter and said some words to the bereaved after his wife. He also told about relationship problems and a difficult financial situation over a long period.
I have taken the lives of my wife and my child.
What is life without you? You made the world a better place when you were alive.
I take responsibility for my actions. Actions I bitterly regret.