Following the verdict announcement in Oslo, defense attorneys Petar Sekulic and Ellen Holager Andenæs directly visited Marius Borg Høiby (29) in prison. Afterwards, they announced to Norwegian media representatives that Crown Princess Mette-Marit's (52) son will appeal. The 29-year-old had been sentenced to four years in prison for, among other things, two counts of assault.
Appeal proceedings next year?
The lawyers found clear words about the meeting with "Dagbladet": "He is of course very pleased about what we consider to be quite numerous acquittals, but he is convinced that he is clearly innocent of the assault charges." He also "in no way mistreated" his former partner Nora Haukland. The defense attorneys continued: "He is absolutely certain that an appeal must be filed." According to the defense attorneys, appeal proceedings could begin in 2027.
However, Marius Borg Høiby was acquitted of two other assault charges. The defense attorneys expressed relief about these acquittals. The sentence turned out to be significantly milder than what the prosecution had demanded. Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø had demanded seven years and seven months. The fact that it was "only" four years is a logical consequence of the fact that Høiby was only convicted of two of the four assault charges, Henriksbø explained after the verdict. Additionally, Høiby must pay a total of 640,000 kroner in damages to several victims and will lose his driver's license for one year and eight months.
Høiby himself did not follow the verdict announcement in the courtroom, but via video transmission from prison. According to reports, he was admitted to the hospital last week for undisclosed health reasons. On Wednesday, he was then transferred to the Ila prison in Bærum.
"He desperately wants to get out now"
The family is at the center of the defense's argument. The lawyers repeatedly emphasized how important proximity to his seriously ill mother is to Høiby - and how much the family needs him in turn. Crown Princess Mette-Marit suffers from chronic pulmonary fibrosis and has been placed on the waiting list for a lung transplant.
Against this background, Sekulic again requested the release of his client. An earlier request had been rejected, most recently five days ago by the Borgarting Court of Appeal. From the defense's perspective, the situation has now changed due to the verdict: it must be weighed whether further detention is proportionate - also in view of the mother's wish to be with her son, as "VG" reported. The prosecution objects and points to a continuing risk of reoffending.
The 29-year-old's defense attorneys emphasized after the prison visit: "It was tough. The criminal trial itself is difficult enough, and then there's especially the mother's health situation... He desperately wants to get out now." A decision on the renewed release request is expected shortly, Norwegian media reported.
