COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — The Latest on the murder trial of Danish inventor Peter Madsen (all times local):
12 noon
Jakob Buch-Jepsen, the prosecutor in the Danish murder trial of inventor Peter Madsen, says a psychiatric report of the 47-year-old Dane has concluded that he is an intelligent man “with psychopathic tendencies” who has “no empathy or feelings of guilt.”
Madsen is on trial Thursday in Copenhagen accused of tying up and torturing Swedish reporter Kim Wall before he either cut her throat or strangled her during a trip on his private submarine in August.
The prosecutor said the cause of Wall’s death has not been established. But he said Wall’s blood was found on the military-style bodysuit that Madsen wore when he was arrested, and he also said that detectives found videos and texts about killing women on Madsen’s laptop and an external hard drive.
Buch-Jepsen also showed the court underpants and pantyhoses — both damaged — and pieces of hair.
___
11:05 a.m.
Danish submarine builder Peter Madsen, who is accused of murdering Swedish journalist Kim Wall, has listened quietly with his fists closed as the prosecutor described in detail how her body parts of were found on the ocean bed.
Wall’s parents were also present Thursday on the opening of the trial against Madsen at Copenhagen City Court as prosecutor Jakob Buch-Jepsen explained the findings at the bottom of the Oresund waterway between Copenhagen and southern Sweden.
The court showed a drawing of the multiple stabs to Wall’s torso to members of the court, but did not display them to other people present.
Madsen is accused of killing Wall on his home-made submarine, dismembering her and disposing of her body in the water during a trip on the sub in August last year.
___
10:35 a.m.
The prosecutor in the Danish murder trial of inventor Peter Madsen says Madsen’s submarine was submerged for several hours on the fatal night when journalist Kim Wall disappeared, was invisible to radar and didn’t immediately respond to attempts to make radio contact.
When reached over radio — the audio file was played to the Copenhagen City Court Thursday — Madsen said he had let Wall off on Refshale island several hours into the trip.
Madsen also said over the radio that there were no injured persons on board but only technical problems. Shortly after, Madsen reported “man overboard” over the radio. He was picked up alone.
After he was arrested on land, forensic experts found dried blood on Madsen’s nose, “blood that eventually was proven to belong to Kim Wall,” said prosecutor Jakob Buch-Jepsen.
___
9:45 a.m.
The trial has started of Danish inventor Peter Madsen, accused of tying up, torturing and murdering Swedish reporter Kim Wall during a trip on his private submarine in August.
Prosecutor Jakob Buch-Jepsen started the 12-day trial by reading the charges while Madsen, wearing glasses and a dark shirt, watched the prosecutor from his seat beside his defense lawyer.
The defense lawyer, Betaina Hald Engmark, then formally entered a not-guilty please to the murder charge.
Madsen claims Wall died accidentally inside the submarine while he was on deck during the excursion. He has admitted throwing her body parts into the sea.
The prosecution claims Wall’s murder was premeditated because Madsen brought along tools he normally didn’t take when sailing.
The trial at Copenhagen’s City Court is due to run until April 25.
___
9:15 a.m.
Danish inventor Peter Madsen stands accused of tying up and torturing Swedish reporter Kim Wall before he either cut her throat or strangled her during a trip on his private submarine in August.
Madsen, 47, whose trial starts Thursday in Copenhagen, is charged with murder, dismemberment and indecent handling of a corpse for the way he disposed of Wall’s body.
Madsen has denied murder. His defense lawyer, Betina Hald Engmark, told TV2 Thursday that he maintains she died accidentally inside the submarine. He has admitted throwing her body parts into the sea.
The prosecution claims Wall’s murder was premeditated because Madsen brought along tools he normally didn’t take when sailing.
The trial at Copenhagen’s City Court ends April. 25.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.