WIFE KILLER FOUND NOT GUILTY BY REASON OF INSANITY
A BRAZILIAN man who cut his wife’s head off while suffering from a cannabis-induced psychosis, has been found not guilty of her murder by reason of insanity by a jury at the Central Criminal Court.
Diego Costa Silva, whose family has not been present during the trial, broke down in tears when the verdict was read out.
He will be taken to the Central Mental
Hospital to be assessed before returning to court on March 22 when a psychiatrist will report on his current mental condition.
During the trial the jury heard that, after noting Silva was displaying a paranoid belief that his wife might hurt him.
Doctors at the Mater Hospital asked the defendant to remain as a voluntary patient but he chose to leave the day before the killing.
The court also heard Silva said he had recently confessed to his wife that he had been unfaithful to her.
Knives
He described to gardai how he used four knives and took about 10 minutes to remove her head.
Silva (35) pleaded not guilty to murdering Fabiola De Campos Silva (33) on November
4th, 2021 at their home in Charlestown Place, Finglas, Dublin 11.
His trial heard that due to his mental disorder, Silva believed that his wife was possessed by a serpent and that she would kill him.
After he attacked her, by striking her on the head with a mug, strangling and stabbing her, he cut her head off believing that he had to do so to make sure the serpent was dead.
Two forensic consultant psychiatrists gave evidence that Silva was suffering from cannabisinduced psychosis with symptoms including paranoia, delusions and auditory hallucinations.
Barristers for the defence and prosecution said that Silva was not legally responsible for his actions and qualified for the special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006.
Mr Justice Michael MacGrath said the victim, a young woman, had her life in front of her.
He added: “That life was cut short in a horrific manner by the actions of the defendant.”