Experts reject inmate’s claim of mental disorder

A murderer’s claim that his neurological disorder led to sudden outbursts of anger was yesterday thrown out by an expert.

Consultant neurologist Norbert Vella said David Schembri, who was jailed for life in 2009 after stabbing Josette Grech 49 times in San Ġwann, has what is known as an arachnoid cyst. This is a fluid-filled sac between the brain and spinal cord.

However, his condition was stable and had remained so since 2007, the neurologist said.

In any case, violent behaviour resulting from the cyst would increase gradually and would not be directed at one specific object or person. Mr Schembri, he added, did not exhibit any psychotic symptoms.

Dr Vella was testifying in a case in which Mr Schembri stands accused of seriously injuring an inmate after slashing him across the face and blinding him in one eye last year.

The medical claim was originally raised by Mr Schembri’s lawyer, Joe Brincat, who quoted a Portuguese study which found that arachnoid cysts could trigger sudden outbursts of anger and violence.

In the last sitting, three psychiatrists had testified that Mr Schembri was not suffering from any mental health issues.

In yet another court case involving Mr Schembri, a magistrate heard two days ago how he had set fire to his cell. Witnesses said he had also kept a cup of human excrement to throw at prison warders as well as a container of sperm which he planned to mix with acid to use against the authorities.