Judge in Breivik Trial Replaced

Oslo – One of the lay judges in the trial against Norwegian mass killer Anders Behring Breivik has been replaced after it was revealed that he made a comment on the Internet saying the death penalty would be the only appropriate punishment for Mr. Breivik.

As the second day of the trial against Mr. Breivik began presiding judge Wenche Elizabeth Arntzen said it has come to the knowledge of the court that lay judge Thomas Indrebo had made a comment which may compromise his impartiality.

Ms. Arntzen said Mr. Indrebo had admitted to the comment, which according to reports were made on Facebook, the day after Mr. Breivik’s twin attacks which killed 77 people and injured hundreds in government buildings in central Oslo and at a Labor party youth camp on July 22 last year.

Prosecutor Svein Holden and Mr. Breivik’s defense lawyer Geir Lippestad agreed that the lay judge should withdraw. The trial will continue after the judge is replaced by the reserve judge who has followed all court proceedings.

“This makes the court vulnerable. The only reserve has been spent after just one day, and to appoint a new reserve, the court would have to re-run the trial,” said Harald Stanghelle, political editor of Norway’s biggest daily, Aftenposten.

Three lay judges and two professional judges have been appointed to decide upon Mr. Breivik’s case. If he is deemed criminally sane, he may be sentenced to 21 years of detention, which could be extended for as long as he is seen as a danger to society.

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