Knutby Case: Lawyer Seeks to Reopen Investigation into Nanny’s Conviction

The conviction of Sara Svensson, the nanny involved in the 2004 Knutby murder case, is being challenged as her lawyer, Johan Eriksson, seeks to reopen the investigation. Eriksson announced this intention at a press conference on Friday morning, citing significant shortcomings in the original preliminary investigation.

Concerns Over Preliminary Investigation

According to Eriksson, the existing case material is misleading and fails to present a complete picture of the events. He argues that crucial questions remain unanswered, casting doubt on Svensson’s guilt as the primary perpetrator. “Our conclusion is that Sara Svensson has not committed any murder, she has shot and killed a person,” Eriksson stated during the press conference.

Aftonbladet’s Investigative Reporting

The push to reopen the case follows investigations conducted by the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, which revealed several flaws in the original investigation. The newspaper’s reporting questions whether Svensson was indeed the one who fired the fatal shots.

The 2004 Knutby Murders

The events unfolded in Knutby, Sweden, where Helge Fossmo, a Norwegian pastor, was leading a Pentecostal church. In 2004, his wife, Alexandra Fossmo, 23, was murdered. Svensson, the family’s nanny, was sentenced to compulsory psychiatric treatment for the murder and was later released in 2011. She was also convicted of attempted murder of another member of the congregation, confessing to both crimes.

Sara Svensson’s Testimony

In an interview with Aftonbladet’s “200 seconds” program, Sara Svensson stated, “I really didn’t wish to. But Helge guided me in such detail, so I had no choice. I did what Helge wanted.”

Expert Review and Identified Errors

Aftonbladet’s program featured several experts who re-examined the police investigation and technical evidence, identifying what the newspaper describes as gross errors. The newspaper highlights six points suggesting Svensson should not have been convicted.

Background on the Knutby Case

Helge Fossmo was initially sentenced to life imprisonment for complicity in the murder of his wife and attempted murder of his mistress’s husband. His sentence was later reduced to 26 years. Svensson and Fossmo had begun a relationship even as she worked as a nanny for the family.

Source: SVT Nyheter, Aftonbladet, MSN, Sweden Herald