Cats paws were found tied to a statue in Mosta last September. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

The contents of the notes left with crucified animals over the past two-and-a-half years seem to point to a convicted murderer, according to a top forensic psychologist, though it is not yet clear if they are genuine.

Times of Malta yesterday revealed the contents of four notes the perpetrator left along with dead animals in 2011, 2012 and – more recently – last Monday. The case has shocked the Mosta community, but the new details emerging show the incidents may go beyond animal cruelty.

“The police must have been very confused upon reading the notes. They’re very misleading,” forensic psychologist Roberta Holland told The Sunday Times of Malta.

“If the notes are genuine and not written by someone who is faking it, the author clearly has a problem of flawed thinking. His train of thought does not follow the norm. There are also elements of paranoia.

“On the other hand, it is also someone who knows exactly what he’s doing.”

The last bloodied note was inserted between the cat’s outer skin layer and its muscular layer as it hung from the statue of St Philip on the parvis of the Mosta dome.

The author of all four notes mentions details that recall the case of the 83-year-old Franġisku Buhagiar, who had shot dead his sister on February 16, 1999, following an argument over burnt toast and a pullover that needed sewing.

He was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Most of the crucifixion incidents took place around the 16th of the month.

The notes reek of self-pity and desperation, with their author lamenting people’s venomous words, lack of compassion and the state of neglect he was subjected to.

The police must have been very confused upon reading the notes

In the impassioned and bitter 2011 note, the author curses the people involved in helping put Mr Buhagiar behind bars, including the police, attorney general, lawyer and psychiatrist.

He also curses all those who derived pleasure from his predicament, and who still laugh at him whenever he ventures outside.

Above all, the author curses a named woman, whom he claimed to love but who instead insulted and neglected him.

‘Has almost become a game of cat and mouse’

He prays to God to take his life so that he is released from the depths of desperation. He also prays to God to forgive him for the little harm he might have done and asks Him to reward him with paradise for delivering the world from a devil of a woman and for helping beautify the Church.

Additionally, the most recent note illustrates its author’s lifelong dream of finding a woman who would love and care for him and who would give him children to look after him.

One of the 2012 notes curses a man the author claimed he was paying to hang up the crucified animals. He hoped the man would not return for the rest of the money promised in return for performing the act.

Dr Holland pointed out that the author of the notes seemed to feel persecuted and was in need of help.

“There is a problem and the perpetrator is trying to resolve it. Even if it is a gimmick, it still shows this person is doing it to try and feel good about himself.”

The author clearly has a problem of flawed thinking

The perpetrator, Dr Holland continued, was not trying to resolve the problem according to the norm. He is praying for help but, at the same time, not behaving in a way that would lead to him getting help, she said.

“I suspect that the motive behind the animal killings might also have changed over these past two years.

“Someone who really had this problem would also at least be doing something more conducive to resolving it. Apart from the original motivation of suffering and revenge, over time there is a possibility that it’s almost become a cat and mouse game.

“I am sure the police have tried very hard and have followed all the leads. I am sure they have a suspect but not have enough evidence to proceed.”

According to a psychological test presented in court in 2003, Mr Buhagiar did not suffer from dementia but had a personality disorder. He showed symptoms of impulsiveness and paranoia and his cognitive level was below average.

A character witness had said in court that he had known Mr Buhagiar since childhood and knew him as a hardworking, helpful and church-going man.