"The Count" Proud of Knife Murder
"Arbeiderbladet" newspaper (26.04.1994)
Tore Letvik

"Aarseth attacked me but failed to grab a knife. Then I stabbed him to death. In the time since, I have, of course, felt pride over the murder, not remorse. I was the strongest."

With these words, Varg "The Count" Vikernes admitted in the Eidsivating High Court yesterday that he killed Øystein Aarseth with 23 stab wounds on the night of August 10 last year. The murder took place at Aarseth's apartment at Tøyengata 40b in Oslo.

The 21-year-old from Bergen is charged with premeditated murder under especially aggravating circumstances. Aarseth was unarmed when he was stabbed to death with 16 wounds to the back, two to the head, and five to the neck. The indictment carries a maximum penalty of 21 years in prison. The Count denied, however, that the murder was planned. For the first time since he was arrested on August 20 last year, the 21-year-old chose yesterday to tell his version of the events. He stated that the 22-year-old from Trøndelag [Snorre Ruch], who is co-charged with the murder, had nothing to do with it. The 22-year-old also pleaded not guilty to the charges in court yesterday.

According to the testimony, Varg "The Count" Vikernes and the 22-year-old co-defendant traveled from Bergen to Oslo on the night of August 10 because Vikernes wanted to terminate a record contract with Øystein Aarseth. Vikernes plays so-called Black Metal music, and the contract was supposed to give Aarseth the right to print and release the music on disc.

"It was night when I rang Aarseth's doorbell. He opened the door in just his underwear. Inside Aarseth's living room, we began arguing about the contract. We had already been enemies for several months, and I told Aarseth what I thought of him. When he threatened me by saying: "Weak men talk. Real men act", it provoked him to action", Vikernes told the court yesterday.

"Suddenly Aarseth kicked me in the chest. I reacted by going to the attack and pushed him to the floor. He stood up and ran toward the kitchen door. I realized he was going to get a knife to take me. I blocked his way and drew my own knife; Aarseth began screaming for help. I became incredibly infuriated that he screamed instead of fighting", Vikernes explained. He further stated that Aarseth had run out into the hallway outside the apartment on the 4^th floor and that he followed after him.

Øystein Aarseth was found in a pool of blood in the stairwell halfway between the 1^st and 2^nd floors of the apartment building some time later. Police found bloodstains all the way from Aarseth's living room to the spot where the body lay. Much suggested that he had fought for his life until the very end.

The gruesome description of the murder did not seem to make the slightest impression on Varg "The Count" Vikernes in court yesterday. To questions from the prosecutor, State Attorney Bjørn K. Soknes, regarding what feelings The Count had after killing Aarseth with a knife, the defendant answered: "I don't think one should dwell on such trifles".

Prosecutor: "Is murder a trifle?"

The Count: "No, but it's just nonsense to get hung up on someone's death"

Prosecutor: "Have you felt remorse or grief after the murder?"

The Count: "No. But I would have attacked if someone attacked me and I didn't attack back"

Prosecutor: "Have you felt pride over the murder?"

The Count: "Yes, of course. I was the strongest. I am alive. He is dead."

"I lived together with Øystein Aarseth for three months in 1992. After this, we became enemies due to differing ideologies", Varg "The Count" Vikernes said in the High Court yesterday.

The Count pleaded not guilty to premeditated murder but offered several possible motives for why he might have planned to kill Øystein Aarseth-motives that State Attorney Bjørn K. Soknes may use against him in his closing argument later in the case.

Seemingly unaffected by the serious charges he was confronted with, Varg "The Count" Vikernes smiled and smirked during the court proceedings yesterday. Something that drew applause from a small number of his followers in their teens. The Count became serious, however, when talking about ideology.

"Øystein Aarseth was a communist. I am Heimdall's son, Germanic, Aryan, and pure Norwegian. I want to preserve a Norwegian, beautiful, powerful realm. Aarseth wanted an ugly, mixed-race kingdom", said The Count. He stated that he always had axes and knives at the ready.

"This is in hope of being attacked. I want to die in war. Not like you others, living in peace", said the 21-year-old. He described Oslo as a "city of the moors". "Moor means negro, in other words", The Count explained, and implied that those who are not Germanic have no business in the country. His behavior and explanations in court shocked many of those present, and The Count's defense attorney, Supreme Court Lawyer Tor Erling Staff, tried in vain to make him appear somewhat humbler.

"I am saying what I mean, and if that provokes you, then you have a problem", The Count told the jury, which is to decide whether he is to be found guilty in an indictment with a sentencing frame of 21 years. Three weeks have been set aside for the trial. In addition to the murder, The Count is charged with four church arsons, burglary, theft, and grave desecration. For these counts as well, the defendant pleaded not guilty yesterday.

Author: Tore Letvik (© 1994 "Arbeiderbladet" newspaper, Norway)

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