Frank Dimasi stabbed wife Maria ‘Nonna’ Dimasi 76 times, court told, amid bid for bail to aged-care facility

A man who launched a fatal, frenzied attack against his wife is too dangerous to be moved into a care home for dementia sufferers, a court has heard.

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A bedridden man suffering dementia and receiving palliative care allegedly stabbed his wife 76 times during a frenzied attack and is not fit to be released into an aged-care facility, a court has heard.

The case against Francesco Dimasi, 92, was heard in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday as he was excused from court due to his deteriorating state.

A prosecutor told Chief Magistrate Judge Mary-Louise Hribal that Maria “Nonna” Dimasi allegedly suffered 76 “sharp-force injuries” at the hands of her husband, which should prevent the alleged killer being released on bail to reside at an aged-care facility.

“Leading up to the offending the defendant had been diagnosed with vascular dementia, there were reports of declining mental health, increased paranoia and increasing verbal aggression,” she said.

“He also had some physical limitations at the time of the offending, including that he was using a walker, he was frail and required some care assistance.

“Not withstanding that, the defendant, in my submission, has gone and committed an extremely violent offence, the post-mortem which has been received in the case, the deceased had 76 sharp-force injuries on her body.”

Mr Dimasi is charged with one count of murder over the stabbing death of his wife Maria Dimasi on December 2, 2023.

Murder victim Maria "Nonna" Dimasi ". Photo: Facebook

Frank Dimasi. Picture: 9News

The court has previously heard police attended the Dimasis’ Findon home after Mr Dimasi rang triple-0, saying he had killed his wife, finding a kitchen knife near Mr Dimasi and a “significant” amount of blood.

It has also heard he had a blood-alcohol level more than four times the legal limit, and told police Mrs Dimasi “deserved it”.

Trish Johnson, for Mr Dimasi, previously applied for bail on behalf of her client saying he was bedridden and on Thursday said the Department of Corrections and his doctors had provided reports supporting the move.

“It’s the view of forensic mental health, the prison service, through the bail inquiry report, that this man’s physical and psychiatric … condition can’t be managed in a prison environment, that he needs to be in a medical facility,” Judge Hribal questioned.

Ms Johnson said Mr Dimasi would have to be released on bail before he could be eligible for the pension which, in turn, would allow him to be placed in a “high-needs” aged-care facility with staff trained to deal with dementia sufferers.

Ms Johnson said her client would “not be a danger” given his physical state.

“If he does lash out it’s during personal handling … which is understandable, people are cleaning him up and he doesn’t want them touching him in certain areas,” she said.

“He’s not strong enough to do anyone any harm.”

The prosecutor said there had been instances where corrections staff, stationed at his door, had to go into the hospital room to assist the nurses.

“There are indications towards the end of that (bail) report … that one to two times per week, the custody officers stationed outside his room has required to step in and caused him to release the hands of staff members,” she said.

“In my respective submission, that indicates he has some physical strength. It is cause for concern.”

Ms Johnson intimated her client would be entering not guilty pleas on account of incompetence.

The prosecutor said Mrs Dimasi’s family has expressed their concern at the thought of Mr Dimasi being released.

“The offending … has resulted in trauma for the family and they want to ensure he’s in a facility that recognises both the seriousness of his actions and also the need to provide appropriate care,” she said.

Murder victim Maria "Nonna" Dimasi. Photo: Facebook

After a bail hearing earlier this month Mrs Dimasi’s family provided a statement to the media saying they were still devastated.

“Firstly, we would like to thank the community for their ongoing support to the family as we try and deal with our grief,” the statement read.

“As you can appreciate, our family is still devastated by the way in which our mother lost her life, we’re still grieving and missing her immensely.

“We will not be making any comments with regard to the court case and appreciate the media respecting our privacy at this time.”

Judge Hribal ordered Mr Dimasi not be released from custody, even if released on bail, until room was made for him in an appropriate facility.

The case will next be heard in July.