Norway Massacre Suspect Wants Acquittal or Death Penalty

In court, Anders Behring Breivik defended his massacre of 77 people. According to Fox News, when asked why he committed the crime he claimed to be speaking, "...as a commander or an 'anti-communist' resistance movement and an anti-Islam militant." The group Breivik is referring to is known as the Knights Templar, however prosecutors say the group does not exist. Last summer, Breivik planted a bomb in central Oslo, killing eight people. Afterwards, he entered a youth camp on nearby Utoya Island and gunned down 69 people. ABC News reports that on Tuesday and Wednesday, Breivik testified to the court and attempted to debunk the notion that he was a "pathetic and mean loser." He said he represented a "European resistance movement" and "Europeans who don't want our ethnic rights to be taken away."

In court CBS News reported that Brevik admitted to the court that he did not care if he's sent to prison because living in a country ruled by "multiculturalists" was a prison in itself. 

 Since Monday, prosecutors and defendants have spoken to the court. While Breivik has used his time to explain the reasoning for his actions, the prosecutors believe Brevik has other motives in mind. An article by the Associated Press explains that Mette Larsen, the lawyer representing the victim's families felt the defendant was turning the trial into a platform to express his extremist views. Levette does believe Brevik has a right to explain his actions, "We understand that the court allows it, but we felt it was our duty as lawyers for the bereaved to intervene."

The issue in court at the moment is determining if Breivik is sane. This ruling can make a difference as to whether he is sent to prison or compulsory psychiatric care for the bomb and shooting massacre in Norway. According to the USA Today, if Breivik is found sane, he could face a maximum 21-year prison sentence. When asked by the prosecutor if he would rather receive the death penalty, Breivik stated, "I view 21 years in prison as a pathetic sentence... there are only two outcomes in this case that I had respected, that is the death penalty or acquittal."

The court will first decide whether Breivik is sane or not and following that ruling, Breivik will be sentenced.