Psychiatrists granted extension in Mosta cat killer case

Magistrate Carol Peralta has granted an extension of a week to the three psychiatrists appointed to carry out an examination on Nicholas Grech.

Engineer Nicholas Grech, 37, of Mosta, is charged with animal cruelty, killing domesticated animals, violating a grave within the ossuary of the Mosta parish church, insulting the Catholic religion and illegally entering the church and crypt of the chapel known as Ta’ l-Isperanza .

The incidents happened between October 2011 and February this year.

Grech is pleading not guilty.

In a previous sitting, psychiatrist by Ethel Felice was appointed on the team of court experts, after it resulted that Joe Pisani - one of the three psychiatrists originally appointed - had died years ago. The Magistrate was never informed of his death.

Today the psychiatrists asked for a week’s extension to conclude their findings.

Independent psychiatrist George Debono had previously told the court that Grech suffered a relapse of mental health issues. “The accused was meant to be on medication but had stopped taking medicine at the time he committed the crimes," the psychiatrist had told the court.