2011/07/28 | Marcia Chen, CityNews.ca
A drawing of Vakhtang Makhniashvili in court on Nov. 5, 2010.
CITYNEWS/Marianne Boucher
A Toronto man who stabbed three people in the wake of his daughter’s disappearance two years ago apologized for his erratic behaviour at a sentencing hearing earlier this week.
Vakhtang Makhniashvili appeared calmer when the hearing resumed at the College Park courts Thursday morning and said he would co-operate with his sentencing and continue to retain Calvin Barry as his lawyer.
Judge Rebecca Rutherford delayed the proceedings on Tuesday after Makhniashvili twice interrupted to say he was pressured into pleading guilty and wanted to dismiss Barry.
He also said he was sleep-deprived and given drugs against his will.
The Crown had told the court that psychiatrist Julian Gojer could not reach a conclusive diagnosis, but he believes Makhniashvili suffers from a major illness certifiable under the Mental Health Act.
Prosecutors had also recommended he undergo more psychological testing to determine whether he posed a danger to himself or the public.
The hearing will resume on Sept. 9 when the court will check on funding for the psychologist and hear from Makhniashvili’s victims.
In 2010, Makhniashvili was charged with three counts of aggravated assault for attacking his neighbour and a married couple who had acted as his legal surety.
His daughter Mariam was 17 years old when she disappeared on her way to high school in September 2009 and hasn’t been found.
http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/local/article/145673--mariam-makhniashvili-s-father-apologizes-for-court-outbursts
