'Overwhelming evidence' against father: court
A guilty verdict appears likely for the father of four in Uppsala accused of abusing his wife and children and keeping them confined to the family apartment. The district court has found that there is overwhelming evidence against the man and has ordered him to undergo a physiatric evaluation.
“He is not yet convicted, but it is close,” the man's lawyer, Claes Nylander, said.
When Friday's trial against the 58-year-old father concluded, the Uppsala district court found 'overwhelming evidence' that he was guilty of the crimes. The court now has called for a so-called "paragraph 7" investigation to determine the sentencing.
“That is usually a sign that it will be a guilty verdict,” said Måns Karlsson, court reporter, but adds that it can be also called into use as new evidence in case of another trial.
Assistant prosecutor Anna Möller told TT that the mother and children are relieved that the trial is over and they have been able to testify.
According to the older daughter's testimony, it has always been her dream to be able to live as everyone else. She was born in Sweden but has had to fight to learn the language, something she has done successfully.
“It's called 'learn by fear', because if you are afraid of not being able to make it in the future, and you have a dream, then you put everything you have into it,” the 22-year-old said during the trial.
She also testified their 16-year-old sister was never subjected to the same treatment as the other three children.
“In my entire life, I have never been him hit her or raise his voice to her. She was allowed to watch Bolibompa, while we had to stay in our rooms. He bought her nice presents, and he got ours out of the rubbish bin.”
The younger sister testified on Friday. According to her, the father never confined nor hit members of the family. But the district court found overwhelming evidence of illegal imprisonment, abuse, illegal threat as well as one count of gross violation of a woman's integrity.
Nylander, the father's lawyer, emphasized the lack of supporting evidence, such as medical documentation, and that is the testimony of the accused that prevails in a case of one person's word against the other.
Public prosecutor Johan Strömbäck argued in his closing statement that the investigation confirmed the testimonies of the mother and three children and called the father to be receive at least two years in prison.
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“He is not yet convicted, but it is close,” the man's lawyer, Claes Nylander, said.
When Friday's trial against the 58-year-old father concluded, the Uppsala district court found 'overwhelming evidence' that he was guilty of the crimes. The court now has called for a so-called "paragraph 7" investigation to determine the sentencing.
“That is usually a sign that it will be a guilty verdict,” said Måns Karlsson, court reporter, but adds that it can be also called into use as new evidence in case of another trial.
Assistant prosecutor Anna Möller told TT that the mother and children are relieved that the trial is over and they have been able to testify.
According to the older daughter's testimony, it has always been her dream to be able to live as everyone else. She was born in Sweden but has had to fight to learn the language, something she has done successfully.
“It's called 'learn by fear', because if you are afraid of not being able to make it in the future, and you have a dream, then you put everything you have into it,” the 22-year-old said during the trial.
She also testified their 16-year-old sister was never subjected to the same treatment as the other three children.
“In my entire life, I have never been him hit her or raise his voice to her. She was allowed to watch Bolibompa, while we had to stay in our rooms. He bought her nice presents, and he got ours out of the rubbish bin.”
The younger sister testified on Friday. According to her, the father never confined nor hit members of the family. But the district court found overwhelming evidence of illegal imprisonment, abuse, illegal threat as well as one count of gross violation of a woman's integrity.
Nylander, the father's lawyer, emphasized the lack of supporting evidence, such as medical documentation, and that is the testimony of the accused that prevails in a case of one person's word against the other.
Public prosecutor Johan Strömbäck argued in his closing statement that the investigation confirmed the testimonies of the mother and three children and called the father to be receive at least two years in prison.
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