Mintoff Bland stabbing suspect was unable to recall incident, says psychiatrist

The man accused of stabbing Yana Mintoff Bland at her home last October had been unable to recall the incident when he was admitted to Mount Carmel Hospital, a psychiatrist who examined him there has said.

39 year-old Gheorghe Popa, Mintoff Bland's former partner had appeared calm and compliant after his arrest, psychiatrist Anton Grech told Magistrate Joe Mifsud today.

Popa is accused of stabbing Mintoff Bland and her son last October at the Tarxien villa that was once home to the late Prime Minister Dom Mintoff. The attack is alleged to have been motivated by Popa's jealousy, caused by suspicions that Mintoff Bland had been cheating on him. Popa is also accused of setting fire to the Tarxien property after the stabbing.

Dr. Grech had treated Popa at Mount Carmel, where the man had initially been held due to fears that he had suicidal tendencies. The psychiatrist concluded that there was no such risk, saying Popa's behaviour was in the large part showed that he was calm, normal and cooperative.

He noted, however that the patient had insisted that he had no memory of the stabbings whatsover.

Dr. Michael Spiteri a doctor who was called to scene after Popa was found hiding up a tree outside the Mintoff residence, told the court that he had helped bring the man down from his hiding spot. Popa, who had been stabbed 4 times, was taken to hospital in a critical condition.

At the end of the morning's sitting, the prosecution announced that it had no further evidence to submit. Later this afternoon, Magistrate Mifsud visited the crime scene for the second time, accompanied by the parties and their legal counsel.

Inspector Spiridione Zammit is prosecuting. Lawyer Benjamin Valenzia is appearing for Popa, while lawyer Joseph Giglio is appearing parte civile for Mintoff Bland.