SANDNES (Dagbladet): Never before has there been a comprehensive overview of the witnesses who were in Baneheia in the relevant period of time for the murders on 19 May 2000. When the police’s new investigation and timeline for the hours surrounding the murders were presented, however, it was very detailed about who was where and when.
Police Superintendent Ole Fjørtoft tells the court that when they began work on mapping the witnesses, they found, among other things, an old map with post-it notes at the police in Kristiansand. A complete overview of the relevant persons therefore had to be created “from scratch”, according to Fjørtoft.
Several of the witnesses from the original investigation have been called as witnesses even now, 24 years later – others are only referred to in the police superintendent’s review.
– The witness was walking near the crime scene and heard loud rustling noises. The witness thought there were some animals, and stopped, but saw nothing, says Fjørtoft.
The police have confronted Jan Helge Andersen with the fact that they have found DNA from him on both of the murdered girls in Baneheia. Reporter: Marte Nyløkken Helseth / Dagbladet TV.
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– Cracking, rattling and pounding
Also another witness the police superintendent highlights in his review, told in questioning in 2000 about similar sounds. Whether the sounds were actually connected to the murders has never been possible to establish.
– The witness heard sounds from the terrain by the path, described as cracking, rustling and pounding. The witness never heard anyone speak, the police superintendent said.
According to the police survey, there were around 150 witnesses in Baneheia in the most relevant time period for the murders, between 5.45pm and 8.15pm. Several of them have been called in again in connection with the fact that Jan Helge Andersen is now charged with the murder of Lena Sløgedal Paulsen (10) – a murder Viggo Kristiansen was previously convicted of, has served and is now acquitted of.
– I have always deceived her
– Seemed absent
An acquaintance of Andersen’s, who among other things was in Heimvernsungdommen together with the now 43-year-old man charged with murder, has also been called in as a witness.
Among other things, he has explained in questioning from 2000 that he met Andersen in Baneheia the evening before the murders, when he himself took part in a race in the area.
– We met Jan Helge Andersen on a lap we had after the race. He seemed absent and sullen. Even quieter and contained than usual. But this was many years ago, so I have to deal with the interviews from 2000, says the witness.
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Do not remember
On the eighth day of the trial, a childhood friend of Andersen’s has also been called in as a witness. He says that the two were friends and went to the same class for many years. When Andersen started to be with Viggo Kristiansen, they fell apart more.
– I knew Viggo, he was not a guy I liked hanging out with, says the witness in court.
In questioning in 2000, the witness was asked, among other things, about his friend Andersen. State Attorney Johan Øverberg reads from the hearings in court.
THE BANEHEIA CASE: On Thursday, Jan Helge Andersen (43) takes the witness stand
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– His biggest wish was to get into the war and kill someone. He has said that, Øverberg reads, and asks if the witness remembers this today.
– I remember it being said, yes, replies the witness.
Following the witness’ statement, Andersen himself took the floor.
– I don’t remember saying that. But I can remember that I have said that I want to go out to change the world or people’s lives, says the 43-year-old accused of murder, who was previously convicted of killing Stine Sofie Sørstrønen (8) in Baneheia.
