Appeals Court dismisses insanity plea

The Appeals Court today confirmed a decision by jurors that Anthony Schembri, 61, of Sliema had not been insane when he had stabbed his wife to death while she lay in a hospital bed in September 2005.

Mr Schembri had pleaded in a trial that he suffered from schizophrenia. A mental health assessment by three court-appointed psychiatrists said that he was not in the right state of mind when he committed the crime.

The prosecution had, however, argued that Mr Schembri had not been insane at the time of the crime and had planned his actions. The jurors agreed with the prosecution and Mr Schembri appealed.

The Appeals Court said Chef Justice Vincent de Gaetano had been correct in his instructions to the jurors and the jurors had a right to reach their own conclusions. Mr Justice David Scicluna , Mr Justice Noel Cuschieri and Mr Justice Joseph Micallef therefore ruled that the appeal was baseless and dismissed it.

The decision means Mr Schemberi can undergo trial for the murder of his wife.