Three Psychiatrists Deem Abner Aquilina Mentally Unfit To Stand Trial For Paulina Dembska Murder

Abner Aquilina, the man charged with the murder and rape of Paulina Dembska was declared to have been insane at the time of the act and was unfit to stand trial.

Now, it’s up to the Attorney General to confirm whether it will continue the case as an insanity trial.

It means the Attorney General must decide whether to proceed with an insanity trial (referred to as ġurin in Maltese) or continue the case, where the issue of insanity will be decided along with the rest of the case

Attorney General now must decide whether to opt for insanity trial

Psychiatrists Anthony Dimech, Anton Grech, and George Debono were questioned about Aquilina’s mental state and if Aquilina was mentally sound during the criminal act. And together they concluded that he was probably in a severe state of psychosis at the time.

Amid previous sittings, it was revealed that Aquilina had been recounting visions and delusions. One such delusion was that he was possessed by the devil.

Lovin Malta revealed how Aquilina made sensational claims to investigators during his brief period of interrogation, telling officers that he was a “soldier of God” working on the orders of “frequencies from the devil”.

In light of the circumstances, the court had deferred the case until three appointed psychiatrists submitted a report based on their investigation.

Together they spoke with Aquilina five times in May alone. And according to them, a psychotic state was still very much evident. He was still suffering from some delusions and thus concluded that he was not healthy enough to stand trial.

Their assessment was based on the fact that he had lost touch with reality, amongst other things including certain past experiences and illicit drug use.

What do you make of the latest developments in this case?