2024-03-08
Husband who beheaded wife found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity
Stage: Sentence
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Acquitted
Outcome: Acquitted; After he attacked his wife, Mr Costa Silva believed "the serpent wasn't dead and he had to cut the head off to make sure it was dead." During his detention, doctors noted that Mr Costa Silva continued to show psychotic symptoms until November 15, 11 days after the killing.