Jury begins deliberating in attempted murder trial

The jury has begun deliberating in the trial of a Dublin man accused of attempted murder.

Lateef Bello (42) from Pheasants Run in Clonee, Dublin 15 pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to the attempted murder more than two years ago of Adejoke Opesusi at Littlepace in Clonee, by reason of insanity.

He also pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to burglary, criminal damage, endangerment and assault causing harm.

In his closing speech, counsel for the prosecution Paul O’Higgins SC reminded the jury that all three consultant psychiatrists that testified were in agreement.

He said that Mr Bello, who had worked as a taxi driver, had formed the belief that his wife was having an affair.

“On the 19 of February 2012, at 4.30am in the morning, you (the jury) heard that Mr Bello ended up outside Mr Oroleye’s house accusing him of having an affair with his wife. He breaks the front window and enters the house and smashes up the TV and furniture,” he said.

"We heard that Mr Vincent Carrick goes out and that Mr Bello drives his car straight at Mr Bello. Mr Bello then runs into the back garden and goes to Littlepace Close where he approaches Mrs Adejoke Opesusi saying 'I'm here to kill you and your kids' before stabbing her several times. We heard that when the knife breaks, he uses another knife and starts choking Mrs Adejoke.

"You were told by Detective Sergeant Callaghan that he had a belief that his wife was having an affair. He indicated he was hearing voices in his head. He believed people could read his thoughts and that he was dead. He had religious delusions," Mr O'Higgins said. "I suggest to you that in this case an appropriate verdict would be not guilty by reason of insanity."

Michael Bowman SC, defending, described Mr Bello’s behaviour in February 2012 as terrifying. “On the 19 of February 2012, Mr Bello acted in a terrifying manner - he was not sane at the time. Any rogue could pretend to be insane. What we are dealing with is a man who was mentally unwell on the 19 of February 2012,” he said. “People who are ill should be treated and medicated.

“We heard in evidence that when talking about his motivation Mr Bello thought that he (Mr Oroleye) and his wife were sexting. He said what he did was ‘an act of God’.

“While being detained, Mr Bello was acting in an unusual manner and his answers were peppered with religious references. He spoke in terms of being God’s avenger.”

Mr Bowman reminded the jury that Mr Bello had spent two months at the Central Medical Hospital in Dundrum following his arrest, where he had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.

He added that Mr Bello can be controlled with the use of anti-psychotic medication and that he has no psychiatric history or previous convictions.

“What appears to have taken place was that Mr Bello had paranoid delusions. On the 19 of February 2012 he felt a thump or pain on the chest and believed his own soul had departed and his body was taken over by some other force,” Mr Bowman said.

“He believed he was actually dead. During interviews with gardaí, Mr Bello repeatedly made reference to the fact that he thought that he was dead,” he said.

“I respectfully suggest that the evidence in this case appears straightforward and urge you to adopt the opinions that you have been offered.”

Mr Justice Paul McDermott asked that the jury of seven men and five women return a unanimous decision.