One of three psychiatrists appointed to examine the alleged Mosta cat killer died more than two years ago, a court was told as another was appointed to replace him.

It emerged yesterday that nobody had informed Magistrate Carol Peralta that psychiatrist Joe Pisani had passed away.

Nicholas Grech, a 37-year-old engineer from Mosta, who is under psychiatric care, is pleading not guilty to animal cruelty and killing domesticated animals between October 2011 and last February 3.

He is also charged with violating a grave within the ossuary of the Mosta parish church, insulting the Catholic religion and entering the church and crypt of the chapel known as Ta’ l-Isperanza illegally. In a sitting earlier this month, the magistrate had ordered a report on whether the accused was mentally fit to undergo criminal proceedings and appointed psychiatrists Peter Muscat and David Cassar and Mr Pisani to carry out the assessment, since they had already examined Mr Grech in another unrelated case. Proceedings against him in that case had been extinguished due to his mental illness.

Nobody pointed out to the magistrate that Mr Pisani was deceased and when he was informed yesterday he appointed psychiatrist Ethel Felice to replace him.

The court is already in possession of a psychiatric evaluation by independent expert George Debono who testified that the accused had suffered a relapse of mental health issues he had experienced in the past. He was meant to be taking medication but did not at the time the crimes he was charged with were committed.

Although Mr Grech could realise what was right and what was wrong, when weighing up the consequences of his actions he still decided to go ahead to feel better, Dr Debono noted.

The case continues.