A male individual, Andrei Dobra, aged 36, has issued a plea of not guilty citing insanity as the reason behind this plea, in the murder case of his betrothed, Ioana Mihaela Pacala. The gruesome act was allegedly committed almost two years prior at the couple’s shared residence located at Riverwalk Court, Fairyhouse Road, Ratoath, Co Meath. The crime that Mr Dobra stands accused of took place approximately around the date of November 12th, 2022.
Upon his court appearance at the Central Criminal Court on Monday, Mr Dobra was presented with the singular charge. When enquired by the court official how he intended to plead, he responded with a not guilty plea, stating he was incapable of taking responsibility.
Mr Justice Paul McDermott, addressing the prospective jury panel, clarified that this was a plea of not guilty grounded on insanity. He revealed to those that may sit on the jury that the pair, both of Romanian descent, were engaged to be married and had shared their lives together in the same household.
The justice mentioned a significant aspect of the case being the mental health of the accused, Mr Dobra. “Professional evidences relating to Mr Dobra’s psychological status at the time of the crime and whether he was battling a mental illness will be key pursuits of this case,” he elaborated.
Mr Justice McDermott led the potential jurors to understand that they would be asked to evaluate the case facts, which he specified were primarily of medical nature pertaining to Mr Dobra’s psychological state during the time his fiancee met her tragic end.
He announced that the court will hear testimonies from consultant psychiatrist, Dr Brenda Wright, subpoenaed by the prosecution, and psychiatrist Dr Patricia Casey who will be deposing on behalf of the defence.
A group consisting equally of six men and women was inducted as the jury to conduct the trial, which is scheduled to initiate on Tuesday, presided over by Ms Justice Melanie Greally. The court proceedings are estimated to span a duration of nearly five days.