Findon death: Francesco Dimasi ‘too dangerous’ to be placed into care home after he allegedly stabbed his wife to death in their Adelaide home

A 92-year-old pensioner who allegedly stabbed his wife 76 times as he killed her is not fit to be admitted to a care home, a court has heard.

Francesco Dimasi, who is bedridden, suffers from dementia and is receiving palliative care, was excused from attending an Adelaide Magistrates Court hearing on Thursday as his mental and physical condition deteriorated.

Dimasi is charged with one count of murder for the death of his wife Maria “Nonna” Dimasi on December 2, 2023.

Prosecutors oppose Dimasi’s bid to be released on bail to a retirement home, the Advertiser reported.

The court heard that before Dimasi allegedly killed his wife, he had been diagnosed with vascular dementia and suffered from increased paranoia and verbal aggression.

The court also heard that at the time of the alleged murder he had some physical problems, including using a walker and requiring some care.

‘I believe the suspect committed an extremely violent crime. The autopsy received in the case shows that the deceased had 76 sharp object injuries on her body,” the prosecutor told Chief Judge Mary-Louise Hribral.

Mrs Dimasi (pictured) allegedly suffered 76 ‘sharp force injuries’, the court heard

Dimasi’s lawyer Trish Johnson told the court her client was unable to receive the age pension while in custody, meaning he could not apply for a place in an appropriate aged care centre. ABC reported.

Medical experts and the Department of Corrections provided reports saying Dimasi would be best cared for in a “high needs aged care facility” due to his declining health, the court heard.

Judge Hribal said she would be willing to grant bail to an appropriate aged care facility but needed more information and ordered a bail report to determine whether he could receive a pension and whether a place was available for him in a high-needs aged care facility .

The court had previously heard that Dimasi called triple-0 and said he had allegedly killed his wife.

Police reportedly found a kitchen knife and a ‘significant’ amount of blood at the scene.

Dimasi had a blood alcohol level of more than four times the legal limit and allegedly told police his wife “deserved it”, the court heard.

The prosecutor said Dimasi was kept “under guard” at the hospital, requiring interventions once or twice a week as he sometimes lashed out “with some force” at nursing staff carrying out personal care tasks.

But Ms Johnson argued her client ‘wasn’t a danger to anyone’.

“He will lash out, but he is not strong enough to harm anyone,” she told the court.

Maria ‘Nonna’ Dimasi (left) is pictured with chef Maggie Beer and grandson Stefan Dimasi

The judge ordered that Dimasi not be released from custody, even if released on bail, until space was made available for him in a suitable facility.

Earlier in June, Ms. Dimasi’s children released a statement thanking the community for their support.

“As you can imagine, our family is still devastated by the way our mother lost her life. We are still grieving and miss her dearly,” they said.

Dimasi’s case will go to court next month.