On 26 April last year, 61-year-old Øystein Aam was found dead in his own apartment in Narvik.
Aam is said to have been beaten with, among other things, a vacuum cleaner pipe, a hammer and an ash shovel.
He was found by his own father – 11 days after the police believe the murder was committed.
The father had been trying to get in touch with Øystein Aam for a few days without success. That is why he sought out his son’s apartment.
Assistance lawyer, Elden Advokatfirma
Aam’s father did not get to experience his son’s killer being convicted.
– He died on 30 March this year. The murder of his son affected him strongly in the last year of his life. It was a horrible experience, says assistant lawyer Tom Barth-Hofstad at Elden Advokatfirma.
The police found the bloody vacuum cleaner pipe and the ashtray found in separate bags in Aam’s basement storage room.
The 61-year-old suffered several fractures to his face, crushing injuries to his lower jaw and a number of rib fractures. He died shortly after the violence.
– The case has been a burden and trial for the next of kin. They are relieved that it is now finished. And hope it is a final period, says Barth Hoftsad to VG.
In the hallway, they found the hammer and a pair of bloody trousers which they believe the 56-year-old defendant used before the incident.
When the case started, he pleaded not guilty before the murder.
But after giving evidence in court, the man turned around.
He believed that the evidence in the case showed that it was he who had committed the murder, even though he himself could not remember having committed it.
After the violence, the 56-year-old is said to have taken several pictures of Aam. These were later found on the defendant’s phone.
Nord-Troms and Senja district court sentenced the 56-year-old to 13 years in prison. He must also pay NOK 350,000 in restitution and compensation of NOK 287,616.
– The verdict is in accordance with the allegation we have submitted, and the court has considered all the main points that the prosecution requested, says prosecutor Jorild Steindal to VG.
– Did the fact that the defendant pleaded guilty matter?
– It is not what you call a confession: He has not shed any light on the events. but you always emphasize that it has a meaning for survivors in this type of case when you take on the blame. It has limited significance for sentencing, she replies.
VG has not been able to get a comment from the man’s defender Erling Kristoffersen Malm.
Correction
In an earlier version of this case, it was stated that the 56-year-old defendant pleaded not guilty in the case. This has been updated to the fact that he initially did not plead guilty, but that he changed his mind during the trial. The case was corrected at 12.19 on 8 May 2024.
