2024-03-07
Murder accused believed wife was 'possessed by serpent', psychiatrists tell jury
Stage: Sentence
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Not guilty by reason of insanity
Outcome: Not guilty by reason of insanity; 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." Following his arrest and detention, Mr Costa Silva continued to show psychotic symptoms until November 15, 11 days after the killing.