The man accused of killing his wife Maria Dimasi was allegedly four times legal blood alcohol limit

Nonna Maria Dimasi’s husband was found was sitting at the kitchen table covered in blood and told police she “deserved it”, a court has heard.

Alleged murder victim Nonna Maria Dimasi. Picture: Facebook

The man accused of killing his wife – a well-loved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother – was allegedly found sitting at his kitchen table covered in blood after calling triple-0 and later told them she “deserved it”, a court has heard.

Francesco ‘Frank’ Dimasi appeared at the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court via video link from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on Monday afternoon.

A police prosecutor told the court Mr Dimasi called triple-0 on Saturday night after allegedly killing his wife, with police claiming he told them he and wife Maria had an argument at 5.30pm.

Nonna Maria Dimasi with grandson Stefan Dimasi. Picture: Facebook

“The allegation is that the defendant has allegedly phoned triple-0 saying he has killed his wife,” he said.

“Six minutes later police arrived … they find him seated at the kitchen table with blood on his clothing, arms and hands and a kitchen-style knife located near the accused.

“They searched and located the deceased with significant wounds to the head, upper body and legs.

“(There was a) significant amount of blood in the room and around the body.”

The police prosecutor said it would be alleged that “Mr Dimasi was clearly inebriated at the time of his arrest”.

“He said he was sorry that he killed his wife and that she deserved it,” he said.

“At the time of the incident his blood alcohol was … more than four times the legal limit.”

Mr Dimasi was arrested at the couple’s Findon home after the discovery of his wife’s body at 11.20pm on Saturday night after reports of an “incident”.

The 91-year-old, who has been held under police guard at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital since his arrest, was charged with murder on Monday morning.

Defence counsel for Mr Dimasi said the elderly man, who is believed to suffer from dementia, had been unconscious for the last few hours and was unable to answer any questions.

Magistrate Pandya Jayanthi adjourned the matter to the end of the week to provide time for Mr Dimasi to undergo a psychiatric assessment.