Case Summary
The police have charged Marius Borg Høiby with two rapes within the last 24 hours. He denies guilt for both.
On Wednesday evening, it was revealed that the court partially granted the police’s request for Høiby to be held in custody for two weeks. This is stated in a ruling from the Oslo District Court on Wednesday evening.
Høiby is to be held in custody for up to one week with a ban on letters and visits.
Høiby’s lawyer Øyvind Bratlien stated in a text message to NRK that they will consider the appeal question on Thursday.
– The court should have been tougher, but it shows that the court is critical of what has been presented. One week is far better than two. We consider it promising, the defense attorney wrote.
Defense attorney Øyvind Bratlien states that his client Marius Borg Høiby denies guilt for both rapes he is currently charged with.
The Oslo police district is now investigating two rapes that Høiby is accused of. He also faces charges for a number of other offenses. Høiby denies guilt for both rapes.
The police justified their request for detention on the grounds of the risk of evidence tampering and that they believe they have uncovered another rape.
NRK has previously been informed that Høiby gave the police a partially destroyed phone without a SIM card when he was arrested in August.
Denies Guilt
Police lawyer Andreas Kruszewski said in a brief comment to the press that they are investigating the new charge “with full force”.
– The reason we requested detention for two weeks is that we have uncovered another rape last night and this morning. It has been found in the investigative material, Kruszewski informed.
Øyvind Bratlien, Høiby’s defense attorney, says in a text to NRK that his client denies guilt for this charge.
– Both charges are catastrophic misjudgments from the prosecution’s side. I spent some time on this in the court session today, Bratlien writes.
Police attorney Andreas Kruszewski with a brief comment to the press after the custody hearing was concluded.
Police attorney Kruszewski stated that the case involves sexual intercourse without consent with a woman who is incapable of resisting the act.
– They create a charge that is easily perceived as truth, which becomes public. The defense is bound by confidentiality and has no effective countermeasure.
The victim has been assigned Gunhild Vehusheia as her support attorney. NRK has not been able to obtain a comment from Vehusheia.
There were many from the press present at the Oslo District Court on Wednesday, both outside and inside
Investigating Two Rapes
On Tuesday, the police announced that they had expanded the charges against Høiby, now also for <span class="note" data-content="
This means there was no penetration with genitals or other objects.
” data-term=”rape without intercourse”>rape without intercourse. The victim is a woman in her 20s, who has appointed Hege Salomon as her support attorney.
The Crown Princess’s son was arrested for the third time on Monday evening, this time in a car near Skaugum.
The police said on Tuesday that Høiby is charged with having sexual intercourse with someone who was unconscious or unable to resist the act. Høiby denies guilt for this charge as well.
According to NRK’s information, the police have seized video evidence which they believe shows the rape.
Time.news Editor: Welcome, and thank you for joining us today. We have a deep and concerning case to discuss involving Marius Borg Høiby, who has been charged with two rapes that occurred in just a 24-hour timeframe. I’d like to introduce our expert, legal analyst Dr. Emma Sørensen. Dr. Sørensen, thank you for being here.
Dr. Emma Sørensen: Thank you for having me. It’s a privilege to discuss such a critical issue, even if the circumstances are tragic.
Time.news Editor: Let’s dive into the details. Høiby has been in custody for a week now, with severe restrictions on communication. What does this imply in a legal context?
Dr. Emma Sørensen: Holding a suspect in custody with restrictions is quite common, especially in serious cases like this one—particularly with charges involving sexual violence. The restrictions aim to prevent any tampering with evidence or collusion with potential witnesses. Given the multiple allegations against Høiby, including threats and body harm, authorities likely feel these measures are necessary for the investigation’s integrity.
Time.news Editor: Quite alarming indeed. Høiby’s defense attorney has claimed that these charges are “catastrophic misjudgments.” How often do you see defense teams assert such strong statements, and what impact can it have on the case?
Dr. Emma Sørensen: It’s not uncommon for defense attorneys to portray the charges against their clients in a negative light, especially in high-profile cases. The statement can serve dual purposes: it helps to set the stage for a vigorous defense and can influence public perception. However, such claims need to be substantiated with evidence. If they can convincingly argue their points in court, it may lead to reduced charges or even dismissal of some allegations.
Time.news Editor: The police have indicated that they seized video evidence believed to show one of the rapes. How significant is this in the context of legal proceedings?
Dr. Emma Sørensen: Video evidence can be pivotal in sexual assault cases. If it corroborates the victim’s account, it strengthens the prosecution’s case considerably. However, the defense might challenge its authenticity or the circumstances under which it was obtained. This often leads to a complex legal battle about admissibility and interpretation, and it can heavily influence the jury’s perception if the case goes to trial.
Time.news Editor: With six victims reported, this case appears to involve multiple facets of alleged criminal behavior beyond the rapes themselves. How does this impact the overall investigation?
Dr. Emma Sørensen: The multitude of allegations complicates the case significantly. Each charge stands alone, but together they paint a broader picture of Høiby’s alleged behavior. This may lead law enforcement to uncover more evidence and potentially more victims willing to come forward. It also indicates a pattern, which can strengthen the case against him. However, it also raises challenges around the presumption of innocence, where courts must carefully examine each allegation on its individual merits.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely, there’s a lot at stake for everyone involved. This case has undeniably captured public attention. What role does media coverage play in such sensitive cases, do you think?
Dr. Emma Sørensen: Media coverage can have both positive and negative effects. It raises awareness and can encourage other victims to come forward, but it can also influence public opinion before a trial has even commenced, potentially jeopardizing the fair trial rights of the accused. Judges often have to navigate this landscape carefully, sometimes implementing gag orders or other restrictions to ensure that the jury pool isn’t tainted by pre-trial publicity.
Time.news Editor: A delicate balance, indeed. what do you see as the next steps in this case moving forward?
Dr. Emma Sørensen: The next immediate step would be for the defense to assess the evidence presented by the prosecution, particularly the video footage and how their client’s rights have been protected during the investigation. Following that, if the case continues to trial, we can expect pre-trial motions, examination of evidence, and potentially a jury selection process if it goes to trial. Public interest will likely keep this case in the spotlight, so we may see ongoing coverage as it develops.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Sørensen, for your insights on this troubling matter. We appreciate you shedding light on the complexities involved in such legal cases.
Dr. Emma Sørensen: Thank you for hosting me. It’s important that we discuss these issues thoughtfully, as they affect many lives.