Christian Peregin
Ex-convict with ambition to contest election suffers mental health problems
Man awaiting trial for attempted murder
A former prisoner was taken to Mount Carmel Hospital last Thursday, hours before he was set to launch a new 'political party'.
It is understood he was taken there under a treatment order since he was missing appointments with his psychiatrist.
Daniel Lanzon, 24, who is awaiting trial for the attempted murder of an elderly woman, was planning to launch Il-Partit tal-Libertà (Liberty Party) last Friday even though he is not allowed to contest an election because of his criminal record.
Mr Lanzon had said he was trying to reintegrate into society and reform his ways after six years in and out of prison.
However, The Sunday Times has learnt that he has been accused of committing a number of recent crimes, ranging from multiple car thefts, stealing from churches, receiving stolen property and shoplifting. Some of the alleged offences were committed after he was released from jail in April last year.
In a recent interview Mr Lanzon had claimed he only "robbed to survive" since he had escaped an "abusive" child-care institution when he was around 12 and was forced to live on the streets.
But many of the crimes he is accused of were committed after 2003, (the year he turned 18) and one case took place in August last year where he is alleged to have stolen items from a church in Gozo.
The Sunday Times is informed he deceived the clergy at the parish into believing he was a clerical novice and wanted to spend the day with them. They fed him and kept him for the day, after which he allegedly stole objects from the church. There are at least three cases where he has been accused of stealing from churches.
In the case of the robbery and attempted murder of a 76-year-old woman, damning details have already been released during the compilation of evidence in the Magistrates' Court.
It was said that Mr Lanzon beat the woman up with a broomstick hitting her on her abdomen and legs. He also allegedly hit her with a glass bottle and tried to strangle her with a blanket after threatening her with death unless she handed over her money.
He claims he did this in retaliation because the woman had been abusive towards him.
Despite having several pending cases in the criminal court, he insists he is not to blame for what he has done because of a mental and behavioural problem.
Mr Lanzon had said he intended to represent people in Parliament and insisted he would take his case to the Constitutional court.
His party, he had pledged, would be the "voice of the voiceless", including single mothers and prisoners.
Mr Lanzon could not be contacted for further comment after he was taken to Mount Carmel.
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Marianna Galea Xuereb
Nov 3rd 2009, 13:47
Thank you Times of Malta for disclosing important details about a potential politician. As far as I am concerned, no one is entitled to absolute privacy - least of all politicians - where details concerning one's private life can directly or indirectly have an effect on others.
Up till a few years ago people suspected of having mental conditions that could render them to be a threat to society were generally kept under lock and key. Unfortunately this policy has practically been done away with and that is one main reason why acts of crime, violence, sheer irresponsibility and abuse have increased so much.
kv
Oct 26th 2009, 06:45
whether the coverage on xarabank was necessary or not the important thing is that Lanzon wanted to be the voice of those which are very often excluded from our society.. therefore even if he does suffer from mental health problems ( which I do not really see the point in publishing it on the newspaper), he still managed to convey his message, and maybe the local politicians would do something about the reintegration of prisoners in society, and the homeless people whose situation and their 'instinct for survival' are very often direct causes for their criminal record
victor pulis
Oct 25th 2009, 14:24
What amazes me is that on xarabank he told Peppi that even while he was on the run from the institute he still kept attending school! And Peppi didn't even blink an eye at this statement whch should have raised a suspicion at least. Clearly the interview was screened for sensational reasons.
Robert Callus
Oct 25th 2009, 12:59
Mental problems or not, what Lanzon said about the reintegration of former prisoners in society, especially in areas of employment and housing, is right.
Agius Joseph
Oct 25th 2009, 12:47
If he wanted to remain private he should not have been pushed to go public and launch a political party. I only criticised those who exploited him for sensationalism.
sean meli
Oct 25th 2009, 11:31
Ghamel x'ghamel ghandha tigi rispettata l-hajja privata tal-persuna l-ewwel u qabel kollox.
sean
Agius Joseph
Oct 25th 2009, 11:07
I still cannot understand why Peppi gave him all that coverage in Xarabank! Was he promoting someone like Daniel to be in our parliaments? Thanks Christian Peregin for the info!