Paranoid Schizophrenic Given Indefinite Detention After Fatal Bus Stop Attack
A paranoid schizophrenic who brutally stabbed a grandmother to death at a north London bus stop has been detained indefinitely under a hospital order. Jala Debella, aged 24, carried out the horrific attack on 66-year-old medical secretary Anita Mukhey in front of shocked bystanders on May 9, 2024.
Violent Obsession and Tragic Outcome
The Old Bailey heard that Debella was obsessed with gory online videos, which eerily mirrored the violence he later inflicted in real life. He had searched for "killing video" on his computer and visited websites containing graphic violent content. Despite living in a residential home in Colindale, Barnet, which supports people with mental health problems, he managed to purchase a hunting knife online.
The weapon was delivered to his home approximately an hour before he used it to kill Ms Mukhey at around 11.50am. He stabbed her 18 times before "casually" walking away, leaving horrified members of the public to rush to her aid.
Court Proceedings and Family Anguish
At a hearing on Friday, Judge Philip Katz KC sentenced Debella to a hospital order with a restriction order, meaning he can be detained indefinitely. Debella did not appear in court to hear the verdict, having previously been deemed too unwell to stand trial for murder. A jury found that he committed the act of killing Ms Mukhey.
In a heartfelt statement, Ms Mukhey's husband, Hari, described her as the "centre of our home" and a beloved grandmother-of-two. He expressed that her absence has left a silence that "nothing can fill" and thanked the brave bystanders who attempted to assist her. However, he also highlighted deeply troubling concerns about the psychological assessments of her killer.
Systemic Failures and Unanswered Questions
The family's statement pointed to a alarming disconnect in the mental health care system. Debella was assessed by consultant psychiatrists as psychologically stable and safe for community living, yet he was simultaneously engaging in escalating dangerous behaviour. This included acquiring weapons and researching extreme violence, which ultimately culminated in the attack.
The family raised serious questions about current risk assessment models, questioning whether they are adequately equipped to detect dangers that develop outside clinical settings. Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila, speaking outside the court, acknowledged that the verdict offers "little comfort" to the grieving family, praising their dignity and courage throughout the 20-month ordeal.
This tragic case underscores ongoing challenges in mental health support and public safety, sparking calls for improved monitoring and intervention strategies to prevent such incidents in the future.
