Danish inventor Peter Madsen has been sentenced to life in prison for killing and dismembering Swedish journalist Kim Wall on his homemade submarine last year.
Madsen, 47, was found guilty of murder, dismemberment and indecent handling of a body in Copenhagen City Court on Wednesday, The Guardian reports.
During sentencing, judge, Anette Burkoe said Madsen would receive “the heaviest penalty in Danish law, namely prison for life”.
“We are talking about a cynical and planned sexual assault and brutal murder of a random woman, who in connection with her journalistic work had accepted an offer to go sailing in the defendant’s submarine,” judge Burkoe told the court.
Ms Wall went missing in August 2017 after visiting the inventor on his homemade submarine for a story. On August 21, a dismembered female body was found in the sea off the Danish coast and later identified as Ms Wall. The 30-year-old’s head and legs were later discovered.
Madsen denied killing the journalist and initially told police that Ms Wall had died after a heavy hatch hit her on the head. He then changed his story to say she died of carbon monoxide poisoning after a technical fault led exhaust fumes to fill his vessel.
He admitted to dismembering her body parts and dumping them at sea but denied sexually assaulting her.
In his final statement on Monday, Madsen told the court: “If anything, I am sorry about what happened.”
Defence lawyer, Betina Hald Engmark, said her client planned to appeal the verdict, CNN reports.
“My client and I are not satisfied with the conclusions the court has drawn. That is why my client will appeal,” she told media.
In Denmark, life in prison usually means 16 years behind bars, but the sentence can be extended if the person is deemed dangerous.
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