Courts / Dublin / Report
Italian man on trial for Tom O'Gorman murder fulfils criteria for verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity, jury hears
Summary
In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, the jury heard that Saverio Bellante, 36, admitted killing his landlord Thomas O'Gorman in Castleknock between 11 and 12 January 2014. Two consultant psychiatrists testified that Bellante's mental state met the criteria for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Bellante had a history of schizophrenia, had been on anti‑psychotic medication Olanzapine, which was gradually reduced and stopped on 9 January 2014, two days before the murder. He claimed he saw O'Gorman as a devil and believed killing him and eating his heart would end evil. The defense also presented evidence of his long‑term psychiatric treatment and medication regime, supporting the insanity claim. The trial continues.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Italian man on trial for Tom O'Gorman murder fulfils criteria for verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity, jury hears. Charges or matters: murdering Thomas O'Gorman at an unknown time between January 11 2014 and January 12 2014 at the above address; murdering Mr O'Gorman. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Not guilty by reason of insanity
When:
- January 11 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 12 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 9 2014 Incident
- January 2012 Incident
- January 10 Incident
- January 14 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 14 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2015-07-30 Publication
Why: "He said it took him ten years to do his primary degree as he was taking anti-psychotic and mood stabilising medication which made his concentration poor so this was part of the reason for problems with his academic work," said Dr Monks. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: murdering Thomas O'Gorman at an unknown time between January 11 2014 and January 12 2014 at the above address; murdering Mr O'Gorman (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Not guilty by reason of insanity
Outcome: Not guilty by reason of insanity
Places mentioned
- Beech Park Avenue
- Dublin
- Central Criminal Court
- Central Mental Hospital
- Cloverhill Prison
- Baggot Street
Topics
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