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Murder accused said he and partner were 'playing sexual game', insanity trial hears
Summary
Valerijs Leitons, aged 25, was arrested on 26 June 2019 after stabbing to death Skaidrite Valdgeima, aged 34, at the Binary Hub aparthotel in Dublin 8. Leitons pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The Central Criminal Court heard that the couple had begun a sexual relationship after meeting at a concert in May 2019. A post‑mortem report described multiple penetrating slash and stab wounds to Valdgeima's face, head, neck, arms, chest and right eye, with defence‑type injuries on both arms suggesting attempts to block the knife. A psychiatrist testified that Leitons had a psychotic disorder since February 2018 and may have stopped medication by February 2019, but was not sufficiently impaired to meet the insanity threshold. Witnesses, including a night porter and Garda officers, described Leitons as aggressive, holding a knife and resisting arrest.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Murder accused said he and partner were 'playing sexual game', insanity trial hears. Charges or matters: murdering Skaidrite Valdgeima (34) on 26 June 2019 at the Binary Hub aparthotel on Bonham Street, Dublin 8. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- 26 June 2019 Incident
- May 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 2018 Incident
- February 2019 Incident
- June 27 Other
- 2021-10-05 Publication
Why: Referring to the night of the incident, the accused told gardai that he thought he had fallen in love with Ms Valdgeima but said she was "toying" with him and because of her behaviour his psychosis had started again. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: murdering Skaidrite Valdgeima (34) on 26 June 2019 at the Binary Hub aparthotel on Bonham Street, Dublin 8 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- St Kevin's Gardens
- Bridgefoot Street
- Bonham Street
- The Central Criminal Court
- Central Mental Hospital
- from Kevin Street Garda Station
- Kevin Street
- Bridgefoot Street
Topics
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