The man who allegedly killed his neighbour was believed to be suffering from dementia and alcohol abuse at the time of the horrendous murder in 2012 , a jury has heard . Luigi Costa , 71 , is accused of stomping on his elderly neighbour Terrence Freebody 's head , cutting his throat and stabbing him multiple times in the dining room of his home on Mugga Way in Red Hill , Canberra on July 2012 . Forensic psychiatrist Professor Paul Mullen examined Costa after the attack and believes there was evidence of the accused 's state of mind declining in the lead-up to the incident and also during the event , The ABC reported . Luigi Costa , 71 , is accused of killing his elderly neighbour Terrence Freebody in the dining room of his home on Mugga Way , Red Hill , Canberra in July 2012 . Professor Mullin told the court that the triple 0 calls which Costa made 'almost certainly ' during the incident proved that his mood fluctuated from 'moment to moment ' . He also said the trail of faeces from the crime scene to the toilet were police found Costa suggested his confused mental state . ' I believe that at the time of the killing Mr Costa 's brain was compromised by dementia and when you add to this alcohol that led to a confused state , ' he said . ' I do not think you would understand what you were doing in that state or understand the dreadful long-term consequences . ' Prosecutor Shane Drumgold suggested that Costa feigned his failing memory while being interviewed by Professor Mullin - who denied these claims . 'My view is that it was more likely than possible that Mr Costa was suffering a demented illness in the weeks , months and possibly years in the lead up to this event , ' he said . Costa 's state of mind is critical to case , as . The jury can return a not guilty verdict if Costa 's unstable mindset at time of the attack can be proven . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article .
Luigi Freebody , 71 , is accused of killing his neighbour Terrence Costa . Freebody allegedly stomped on his head , cut his throat and stabbed him multiple times in Costa 's dining room in Red Hill , Canberra on July 2012 . Experts says Freebody suffered from dementia and alcohol abuse at the time . He also said there were signs of Freebody 's decline in the lead-up to incident .