Enraged woman gets life for killing 2 toddlers
Pastor Dale Morgan
Enraged woman gets life for killing 2 toddlers*
Swedish family bludgeoned after attacker's ex-boyfriend begins dating
updated 4:23 a.m. PT, Oct. 15, 2008
STOCKHOLM, Sweden - A Swedish court on Tuesday sentenced a German woman
to life in prison for bludgeoning two toddlers to death and trying to
kill their mother in a fit of jealousy.
The court said it was beyond reasonable doubt that Christine Schurrer,
32, had attacked the family with a "hammer-like object" in March inside
their home in Arboga, central Sweden.
The Vastmland district court said the rampage was triggered by jealousy
after Schurrer's ex-boyfriend ended their relationship and started a new
one with the children's mother. The children were aged 1 and 3.
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Schurrer had previously been found guilty of double murder and attempted
murder, but was required to undergo a psychiatric examination before
sentencing. Last month, doctors declared her free of any serious mental
illness.
Viking-age rock inscriptions
Although there was no technical evidence, such as DNA or fingerprints,
the court said witness accounts and other proof such as CCTV footage,
tied her to the crimes.
Schurrer claimed she was innocent and told investigators she was in the
Arboga area to study Viking-age rock inscriptions.
The court ordered Schurrer to pay around $65,000 in damages to the mother.
Life sentences are typically commuted after 12 years in Sweden. The
court said Schurrer should be expelled after serving her term.
Her lawyer, Per-Ingvar Ekblad told Swedish news agency TT that Schurrer
would appeal the ruling.