Lawyer Kristofer Stahre, who represents the 15-year-old boy who ordered the murders, is appealing Wednesday’s verdict. According to him, courts interpret the legislation in widely different ways when it comes to younger gang criminals who commit serious violent crimes.
He gives an example of a judgment in May regarding three shootings where the Svea Court of Appeal sentenced the perpetrator to four years of closed youth care.
– At present, we see a situation where it matters which judge you get for which punishment you should have, and that should not be the case. What I want is for everyone to be judged equally before the law, says Kristofer Stahre.
“Unbelievably brutal acts”
Helena Nordstrand points out that new regulations have been introduced regarding particularly aggravating circumstances, which can lead to harsher punishments.
– Similar cases must be judged equally, but in this case it is a question of incredibly brutal acts, where a perpetrator shot into homes and executed various family members – and that is, of course, reflected in the penalty value.
It is unusual for people under the age of 18 to be sentenced to prison. Young people between the ages of 15 and 17 are usually sentenced to closed youth care instead of prison for serious crimes, but the government aims to change that.
More teenagers sentenced to prison
The plan is to replace youth care with youth prisons, which should be completed by the summer of 2026. In the past year, however, several teenage boys have been sentenced to longer prison terms for gang murders.
Kristofer Stahre thinks it is necessary for the case to go all the way up to the Supreme Court in order to get a practice.
– It is really needed and I hope that the Supreme Court takes its responsibility, he says.
Helena Nordstrand agrees that practice is needed.
– I think there is a need for the Supreme Court to look at it and give us guidance on how these sentences for young people should be measured.