{"id":49868,"date":"2020-09-09T16:25:15","date_gmt":"2020-09-09T16:25:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/?p=49868"},"modified":"2020-09-09T16:25:15","modified_gmt":"2020-09-09T16:25:15","slug":"accused-murderer-claims-insanity-says-wife-appeared-like-a-ghost-before-perth-stabbing-by-joanna-menagh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/accused-murderer-claims-insanity-says-wife-appeared-like-a-ghost-before-perth-stabbing-by-joanna-menagh\/","title":{"rendered":"Accused murderer claims insanity, says wife appeared like ‘a ghost’ before Perth stabbing – By Joanna Menagh"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0Accused murderer claims insanity, says wife appeared like ‘a ghost’ before Perth stabbing – By Joanna Menagh<\/span><\/h1>\n

\"Upendra<\/p>\n

\n
\n
Upendra Ihalahewa is claiming he was of unsound mind when he killed his wife Darshika Withana.(Supplied)<\/cite><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Source:<\/span>ANC News<\/a><\/p>\n

A man who claims he was insane at the time he killed his wife told police she appeared to him as if she were “a ghost” and “like a devil” before he attacked her with a knife at their Balga home, WA’s Supreme Court has been told.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Key points:<\/span><\/h2>\n
    \n
  • The man’s wife was stabbed repeatedly and had 37 defensive injuries<\/span><\/li>\n
  • He had been diagnosed with mental health problems in the years before<\/span><\/li>\n
  • The court heard he had not been taking his prescribed medication<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n

    Upendra Pathmasri Ihalahewa, 46, is on trial accused of murdering 44-year-old Darshika Nilmini Kudaligama Withana in Perth on the morning of Sunday February 3 last year.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Mr Ihalahewa admits he inflicted the fatal wounds, but is arguing he should not be held criminally responsible for his wife’s death because he was “of unsound mind” at the time.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The court was told Ms Withana was stabbed multiple times, including one in which her jugular vein was severed.<\/span><\/p>\n

    She also had 37 “defensive” injuries to her hands and fingers.<\/span><\/p>\n