The 61-year-old himself alerted the police on Saturday morning, March 23. He claimed that the woman had suffered a heart attack, and the incident was initially handled as a medical emergency.
However, doctors quickly discovered that the woman had severe injuries, and suspicion of a crime arose. The man was arrested, and the woman, who was in her 50s, died from her injuries two days later, on March 25.
On the man's mobile phone, films were found that he had recorded on the evening of March 22, 2024. The films show the man performing sexual acts with his cohabiting partner.
Fell down the stairs
The District Court writes in a press release that the man is acquitted of murder because it cannot be ruled out that the cerebral hemorrhage that the woman died from was caused by, for example, her falling down the stairs in the couple's shared residence.
"Although there are several circumstances that are incriminating for the man, the District Court – in a comprehensive assessment – has come to the conclusion that it is not proven beyond reasonable doubt that the man subjected his cohabiting partner to violence. The man is therefore acquitted of the murder charge", the court writes.
Vulnerable situation
The films found on the man's phone show that the woman was not responsive and did not react to the sexual acts that the man subjected her to.
The District Court assesses that she was in a particularly vulnerable situation, which the man was aware of. The man is therefore convicted of rape.
Prosecutor Anna Wennergren is not satisfied with the District Court's verdict. She says that she believes the investigation is robust and that there is no room for anything other than that the accused subjected the woman to violence during the specified time.
The verdict is defensive and not correct, says Wennergren, adding that she will most likely appeal the verdict.
