Mass murderer seeks release date again
Swedish mass murderer Mattias Flink, who shot and killed seven people in Falun in central Sweden in June 1994, claimed on Wednesday that he reflects on his crimes "every day" as proceedings began to consider limiting his life sentence.
"Flink has requested the right to a fixed term of imprisonment for his sentence," his counsel Johan Eriksson said to the court.
Flink, now 40, wore a short-sleeved shirt and jeans to court on Wednesday with his hair visibly greying at the temples.
The presiding judge continued the proceedings by reading out the Prison and Probation Service's (Kriminalvården) opinion on his case, which testified to the convicted killer's "in all facets exemplary behaviour."
The judge also read out the National Board of Forensic Medicine's (Rättmedicinalverket) report from February which stated that Flink showed "stable mental health" and a "positive attitude and ability to cooperate."
The board's overall assessment is that Flink's risk of recidivism is low and Eriksson pointed out that probation periods have passed without incident.
"It was terribly long ago, it is difficult to relate to it today," said Flink. "It feels so strange to me now that it is almost unreal. It has been a tragedy for all involved."
When asked if it has an effect on him every day, Flink answered, "Yes, I think of it every day."
The lawyer continued to speak to Flink about his stay in prison and how he handles it.
"It is a lost life - not literally, but figuratively," he said. "I walk into a closed environment with no stimulation, either intellectually or emotionally."
This is the second time Flink has applied to have his life sentence commuted. The first application was rejected in 2008 by both the district and appeal courts because they found the culpability of the criminal offenses too high to convert.
Flink also injured three people in the incident, which took place near the Dalregementet in Falun, where he was stationed. Flink, who carried the rank of second lieutenant, was heavily intoxicated at the time of the offence. He fired a total of 51 shots from his AK5.
In court, he said he has a different relationship with alcohol now.
"It was closed chapter since the day I went in," he said. He added that he started "unhealthy drinking" before the events in Falun.
The lawyer asked if he sometimes felt psychologically unwell after committing the crime.
"No," he answered. "However, coming to terms with the actual sentence and the crime in itself means that one is always depressed in one way or another. It will take a long time, perhaps forever."
Comments
See Also
"Flink has requested the right to a fixed term of imprisonment for his sentence," his counsel Johan Eriksson said to the court.
Flink, now 40, wore a short-sleeved shirt and jeans to court on Wednesday with his hair visibly greying at the temples.
The presiding judge continued the proceedings by reading out the Prison and Probation Service's (Kriminalvården) opinion on his case, which testified to the convicted killer's "in all facets exemplary behaviour."
The judge also read out the National Board of Forensic Medicine's (Rättmedicinalverket) report from February which stated that Flink showed "stable mental health" and a "positive attitude and ability to cooperate."
The board's overall assessment is that Flink's risk of recidivism is low and Eriksson pointed out that probation periods have passed without incident.
"It was terribly long ago, it is difficult to relate to it today," said Flink. "It feels so strange to me now that it is almost unreal. It has been a tragedy for all involved."
When asked if it has an effect on him every day, Flink answered, "Yes, I think of it every day."
The lawyer continued to speak to Flink about his stay in prison and how he handles it.
"It is a lost life - not literally, but figuratively," he said. "I walk into a closed environment with no stimulation, either intellectually or emotionally."
This is the second time Flink has applied to have his life sentence commuted. The first application was rejected in 2008 by both the district and appeal courts because they found the culpability of the criminal offenses too high to convert.
Flink also injured three people in the incident, which took place near the Dalregementet in Falun, where he was stationed. Flink, who carried the rank of second lieutenant, was heavily intoxicated at the time of the offence. He fired a total of 51 shots from his AK5.
In court, he said he has a different relationship with alcohol now.
"It was closed chapter since the day I went in," he said. He added that he started "unhealthy drinking" before the events in Falun.
The lawyer asked if he sometimes felt psychologically unwell after committing the crime.
"No," he answered. "However, coming to terms with the actual sentence and the crime in itself means that one is always depressed in one way or another. It will take a long time, perhaps forever."
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.