Jury hears murder accused had told gardaí he pleaded ‘100% guilty’

A man on trial charged with murdering his flatmate over bills told gardaí he pleaded “100% guilty” and didn’t want to blame his personality disorder.

Jacky Lumi, aged 42, has pleaded not guilty to murdering fellow Dutch national Kamal El Habsati on December 1, 2012, who was found in their Dublin apartment with a knife protruding from his chest.

Videos of interviews that gardaí conducted with the accused were shown to the jury yesterday.

He explained that he had been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and depression.

He said he began working and living with Mr El Habsati in autumn 2012, but had trouble with him over rent and bills. He eventually disconnected Mr El Habsati’s internet in a bid to start a discussion about the issue.

He said he “snapped” when Mr El Habsati, who was cooking, said he was not going to pay. He said he jumped up and knocked him to the floor.

He said he felt a sting on his own hand, saw a knife in his flatmate’s hand, and tried to break his arm to get it. He said he somehow got the knife and stabbed the deceased in the back, side, and chest.

He expressed shock when told he had actually stabbed his flatmate 21 times.

“When I heard yesterday what I did, I’m more convinced I should be in jail,” he said the following day.

“I don’t want all the attention for my disorder. I plead 100% guilty,” he said.

The trial continues.