Martinell said Depressed, Weeping,Suicidal

Former president Ricardo Martinelli’s trial, scheduled to start on Tuesday, March 12 will be delayed until his mental state been evaluated by a forensic medical medicine team on Thursday.  Earlier forensic doctors had declared him physically able to stand trial.

Once the three-person court receives the result of the forensic evaluation, it will decide when the oral trial for illegal interception of communications and two types of embezzlement will resume.  

The court also ordered the Ministry of Health to investigate the circumstances in which the psychiatric incapacitation certificate signed by the private physician Frank Guelfi was issued., and which was used by the defense to request the postponement of the oral trial, late on Monday. Guelfi incapacitated Martinelli until March 31, because he is depressed, often cries and speaks of suicide.

The order of the court is based on article 105 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which states: ” Medical certificates for incapacity, issued to justify absences on the day of the hearing, will be subject to subsequent verification.”

Guelfi was fired by Hospital Santo Tomas 9 years ago, and his appeal to the Supreme Court was dismissed reports TeleMetro.

He was present in the courtroom but did not speak. His report was read by staff of the Judicial Office and supported by defense attorney Luis Eduardo Camacho González. The psychiatrist allegedly examined Martinelli sitting under a tree in El Renacer prison, on March 9.

The prosecution warned that the former president had undergone a review and the results showed that his physical condition was optimal and he could go to trial.

When leaving the hearing room,  plaintiff lawyer Carlos Herrera Morán said that what happens to Martinelli Martinekkithe former president is not pathology because all inmates cry in prisons.

Attorney David Cuevas said that if it is determined that Martinelli has some kind of disorder, the trial is over, but so is his political career. Martinelli wants to run for Panama City mayor in the May 5 election and says he will run for president in 2024