Bormla Man Who Nearly Killed Friend After Thinking He Was The Devil Post-Cocaine Bender Granted Bail
A Bormla local accused of almost killing his friend with a Samurai sword, whom he thought was the devil following a six-day cocaine bender, was granted bail.
The accused, 33-year-old Josef Grech, admitted to police that during a paranoid episode, following a long cocaine binge, he believed his drug companion to be the devil.
On 11 November, Grech was charged with grievously injuring his childhood friend Marco Rapinett with a Samurai sword.
Rapinett’s arm was covered in blood when he went to the Bormla police station for help, said Inspector Paul Camilleri.
The victim later fell unconscious and was admitted to hospital for treatment.
According to the Police Inspector, the victim admitted to using cocaine with the aggressor, who suddenly experienced an episode of paranoia and assaulted him with a sword.
The victim testified in Court to using cocaine with the accused for a period of one week prior to the incident.
Rapinett also told the Court that he believed that his aggressor had no ill intent and that Grech did not know what he was doing at the time of the incident.
At the end of the hearing, the accused was granted bail against a deposit of €1,000 and a personal guarantee of €7,000.
The Accused was assisted by lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri.
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