Convicted serial killer acquitted of murder

The Falu district court on Friday acquitted serial killer Thomas Quick for the murder of Israeli tourist Yenon Levi in 1988.

• Convicted serial killer sees charges dropped (28 May 10)
• Serial killer applies for second retrial (20 Apr 10)
• 'Bones' in serial killer trial were wood and glue (8 Apr 10)
• Serial killer investigation 'a scandal' (19 Mar 10)

Chief prosecutor Eva Finné dropped the charge in May after Quick requested a new trial. He will also receive the requested compensation for the costs associated with his request for a new trial.

"The ruling was expected, but it is always satisfying when cases and matters can be concluded," said Quick's lawyer Thomas Olsson.

"Now we have the first acquittal verdict in a long series of verdicts."

According to Olsson, in this situation, Quick is not demanding any damages.

"We are completely focussed on working on new trial applications in the other cases and prioritising the work," Olsson said.

Olsson spoke with Quick right after receiving the judgment.

"He is extremely relieved now that it is definitely clear that he is not guilty of this murder and also sees this as the first step in a long series of acquittals," he said.

On December 17th of last year, the court of appeal granted Quick a new trial for the murder of Levi in Hedemora in central Sweden southwest of Gävle, a crime that took place in June 1988.

On May 28th, prosecutor Finné dropped the charge against Quick because the crime could not be proven, a move which paved the way for Friday's ruling.

Quick has now received a formal acquittal in Falu district court. In addition, the court decided that he should receive compensation for his trial costs of slightly more than 2.4 million kronor ($332,000).

Quick expressed his happiness about the formal acquittal on Twitter under the name Sture Bergwall, which he now uses.

"ACQUITTED! Falu district court informed me of that now - first new trial request is wholly closed - wonderful!" and "It has been a long wait, to now have the acquittal on paper means an great deal for the future - ACQUITTED!" he wrote

Quick has also sought a new trial for the murder of Norwegian girl Therese Johannessen in Drammen, Norway in 1988.

Prosecutor Björn Ericson at the National Police-related Crimes Unit (Riksenheten for polismål) in Malmö has reviewed the application for a new trial and does not oppose a new judicial review.