Psychiatrist finds Maya Vishniyak’s alleged murderer fit for trial
The hearing was punctuated by Vishniyak’s family confronting Almog, who appeared via videoconferencing, during court discussions, shouting at him, “Murderer, look at me!”
By MAARIV ONLINEMaya Vishniyak, a 22-year-old murdered by her boyfriend, 21-year-old Amit Almog.(photo credit: FACEBOOK VIA MAARIV)Amit Almog, accused of murdering his partner, Maya Vishniyak, is fit to stand trial according to a psychiatric evaluation, the Tel Aviv District Court ruled on Tuesday.The hearing was punctuated by Vishniyak’s family confronting Almog, who appeared via videoconferencing, during court discussions, shouting at him, “Murderer, look at me!”On May 20, the Tel Aviv District Attorney’s Office approved the suspect’s request to be examined by a private psychiatrist. The following day, Almog went through a psychiatrist’s evaluation ordered by his lawyers, and its results were sent to a special task force investigating the case in Tel Aviv.On June 7, Almog was charged with first-degree murder of Vishniyak in his mother’s apartment in Ramat Gan. On June 11, the District Attorney’s Office handed the District Court a bill of indictment, accusing Almog of the murder. Almog also was charged with aggravated assault of his mother.According to the indictment, delivered by attorney Shiri Pearl, Almog planned to kill Vishniyak and his mother and sister before May 16. On Saturday, May 16, Vishniyak arrived at Almog’s apartment in Ramat Gan. At a certain point after her arrival, he decided to kill her and waited for his sister to leave the apartment before carrying out the act.The indictment describes how Almog strangled Vishniyak by holding her neck and covering her mouth. The cause of Vishniyak’s death was asphyxiation, according to the indictment.After Vishniyak was dead, Almog allegedly waited for his mother, and upon her arrival, stabbed her in her face and upper body. His mother struggled and begged for her life, telling him that she loves him. Almog eventually listened to her pleas and stopped his attack, according to the incitement.The indictment says Almog took pictures of the deceased, while dancing around the body and throwing money, and sent them to a friend. He is charged with premeditated murder.Translated by Tobias Siegal
