Accused Killer of Swedish Leader Asserts Innocence

Former drama student Christer Pettersson, the man accused of the 1986 murder of Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme, delivered a polished speech today in which he loudly and self-assuredly reasserted his innocence.

“My name is Christer Pettersson. I have not killed Olof Palme,” Pettersson declared on the final day of his five-week trial.

“All my previous violent crimes were committed in crisis situations,” said Pettersson, a 42-year-old drug addict who has a long criminal record of violent assault.

“If you believe the theory that Christer Pettersson went into town, shot Palme, found himself a weapon and magically removed all evidence of the gun blast from his clothes, then you have a Palme murderer,” he said in a strong, calm voice.

‘Role of His Life’

“But if you decide to release me you should know you are not setting free a murderer who is acting out the role of his life,” said the defendant, who briefly attended a prestigious Swedish drama school before his drug habit took a grip on his life.

Pettersson’s speech followed the summing-up by defense lawyer Arne Liljeros, who demanded Pettersson’s immediate release.

Liljeros’ fiercest attack was directed at Palme’s widow, Lisbet, whom he said should be disqualified as a witness because of her contempt for the court.

Lisbet Palme refused to have Pettersson in court when she testified, failed to make a scheduled court appearance and insisted that there be no live broadcasts during her testimony.

“Her smugness, unreasonable demands and lack of respect for the court disqualifies her as a witness,” Liljeros said.