The court of appeal has upheld the district court's sentence of 18 years in prison for the 31-year-old man convicted of murdering former policeman Tore Hedman in Borlänge. Hedman was beaten to death with a hammer in May, and the man was arrested the same day. Both sides appealed the verdict, but the appeal court has confirmed the punishment.
The 75-year-old Tore Hedman, a former policeman living in Borlänge, was found dead in his home in the Mjälga district in May. The autopsy revealed he had suffered at least 17 blows to the head with a hammer. The 31-year-old man, who has an extensive criminal record including burglary, car theft, assault on women, and unlawful threats, was arrested later that same day.
Falu District Court sentenced the man to 18 years in prison for murder in December. He admitted to causing another's death but denied intentional murder. Both the prosecution and defense appealed the verdict to the court of appeal. The prosecutor sought life imprisonment, citing aggravating factors such as Hedman being in a disadvantaged position and the violence being repeated and severe. The defense argued for aggravated assault or manslaughter, pointing to a lack of intent and a psychosis-like state in the man.
The court of appeal requested a forensic psychiatric evaluation, which concluded that the man had not acted under the influence of a severe mental disorder. The district court's sentence was thus upheld without changes. The incident has drawn attention in Borlänge, with related discussions about the municipality's response in similar cases.
