Life sentence for Danish submarine entrepreneur who murdered Swedish journalist

Reuters Staff

 

The courthouse is seen in Copenhagen, Denmark April 25, 2018. Ritzau Scanpix/Mads Claus Rasmussen/via REUTERS

 

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - A Danish court sentenced Danish inventor Peter Madsen to life in prison on Wednesday for murdering and dismembering a Swedish journalist aboard his homemade submarine in Copenhagen’s harbour in August 2017.

 

Police detained Madsen on Aug. 11 last year when he emerged from his submarine without Wall, 30, with whom he had boarded the home-built vessel the previous day.

 

Later that month, police identified a torso washed ashore in Copenhagen as Wall’s. Arms, legs and a head determined to be that of the victim were also later retrieved by the authorities.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-4-25

She will remain dead, but he will most likely walk as a free man again in 16 or less years.

 

In Denmark, a life sentence (Livsvarigt fængsel in Danish) theoretically means life without parole: that prisoners will spend the rest of their lives in prison. However, prisoners are entitled to a pardoning hearing after 12 years, and upon motion of the minister of justice, the Danish King or Queen may grant a pardon, subject to a 5-year probationary period.

Prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment serve an average of 16 years, more for cases considered to be particularly grave. The only example in modern times of an individual serving significantly more than 16 years in prison is Palle Sørensen, who served 33 years for a quadruple police murder. Criminals considered dangerous can be sentenced to indefinite detention, and such prisoners are kept in prison until they are no longer considered dangerous (normally used for mentally ill criminals). On average, they serve 9 years before being released and then they will remain on probation for 5 years. However prisoners eligible for a life sentence are usually not given indefinite detention, as it is considered a lesser sentence than life

I don't believe that it's correct that only Palle Sørensen has served significantly more than 16 years on a life sentence. Naum Conevski was sentenced to life in prison in 1985 for a double murder in 1985, and is still in prison now 33 years later.

 

Sophon

He could come over here as a submarine expert.

 

RIP Ms Wall.

God knows how long this budding serial killer had tortured that poor girl. Nobody gonna hear your screams in a submarine.

 

RIP

Just now, InMyShadow said:

God knows how long this budding serial killer had tortured that poor girl. Nobody gonna hear your screams in a submarine.

 

RIP

Indeed. No closure for anyone on this until he comes clean and tells us exactly what happened. If torture was still a viable option in the Western judicial system this is one case where I might put my moral objections on hold.

 

Troll post removed.