Jealous woman gets life for killing 2 toddlers

updated 7:23 a.m. ET Oct. 14, 2008

STOCKHOLM, Sweden - A Swedish court on Tuesday sentenced a German woman to life in prison for bludgeoning two toddlers to death and trying to kill their mother in a fit of jealousy.

The court said it was beyond reasonable doubt that Christine Schurrer, 32, had attacked the family with a "hammer-like object" in March inside their home in Arboga, central Sweden.

The Vastmland district court said the rampage was triggered by jealousy after Schurrer's ex-boyfriend ended their relationship and started a new one with the children's mother. The children were aged 1 and 3.

Schurrer had previously been found guilty of double murder and attempted murder, but was required to undergo a psychiatric examination before sentencing. Last month, doctors declared her free of any serious mental illness.

Viking-age rock inscriptions
Although there was no technical evidence, such as DNA or fingerprints, the court said witness accounts and other proof such as CCTV footage, tied her to the crimes.

Schurrer claimed she was innocent and told investigators she was in the Arboga area to study Viking-age rock inscriptions.

The court ordered Schurrer to pay around $65,000 in damages to the mother.

Life sentences are typically commuted after 12 years in Sweden. The court said Schurrer should be expelled after serving her term.

Her lawyer, Per-Ingvar Ekblad told Swedish news agency TT that Schurrer would appeal the ruling.

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