Prosecutors in the trial of Marius Borg Høiby, son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, have requested a jail term of seven years and seven months, arguing he should be found guilty of 39 of the 40 charges he is accused of. The 29-year-old denies the most serious charges, which include four counts of rape as well as serious assault. The trial, which began in early February, is due to come to an end this week and the three judges will then retire to consider their verdicts.
Høiby was in court on Wednesday as the prosecution wrapped up its case. He was born before his mother married Norway's crown prince in 2001, and grew up within the royal family without being a member of it. He maintains that he had consensual sex with all four women before the alleged rapes took place. His defense lawyers were due to begin summing up their case later.
The defendant has pleaded guilty to some of the lesser offences, which include a drugs charge, traffic offenses, and breaching a restraining order. He has partially admitted a charge of seriously assaulting a woman in her flat but has denied charges of criminal abuse related to his ex-girlfriend, Nora Haukland, with whom he maintained a close relationship.
The trial at Oslo district court has lasted almost seven weeks and every day of evidence has been front-page news in Norway. Giving evidence last week, the crown princess's son complained of the immense pressure of media coverage of the trial and how he had become an object of hatred. I'm not Marius any more, I'm a monster, he said.
State Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø stated in court, starting the summation, that Høiby should be judged for his actions and not his identity. Regarding the charges, he emphasized the severity of the allegations, especially concerning the impact of sexual assault. While the defendant's lawyers have denied the most serious charges, Høiby's admissions to lesser offenses may lead to a reduced sentence if he is convicted.
Høiby was in court on Wednesday as the prosecution wrapped up its case. He was born before his mother married Norway's crown prince in 2001, and grew up within the royal family without being a member of it. He maintains that he had consensual sex with all four women before the alleged rapes took place. His defense lawyers were due to begin summing up their case later.
The defendant has pleaded guilty to some of the lesser offences, which include a drugs charge, traffic offenses, and breaching a restraining order. He has partially admitted a charge of seriously assaulting a woman in her flat but has denied charges of criminal abuse related to his ex-girlfriend, Nora Haukland, with whom he maintained a close relationship.
The trial at Oslo district court has lasted almost seven weeks and every day of evidence has been front-page news in Norway. Giving evidence last week, the crown princess's son complained of the immense pressure of media coverage of the trial and how he had become an object of hatred. I'm not Marius any more, I'm a monster, he said.
State Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø stated in court, starting the summation, that Høiby should be judged for his actions and not his identity. Regarding the charges, he emphasized the severity of the allegations, especially concerning the impact of sexual assault. While the defendant's lawyers have denied the most serious charges, Høiby's admissions to lesser offenses may lead to a reduced sentence if he is convicted.
