Father sues man found not guilty of murdering fiancée

Andrei Dobra, a security guard, has been found not guilty of murdering his fiancée, Ioana Mihaela Pacala, due to insanity. This verdict was reached last July after a jury heard that Dobra experienced a psychotic episode during the incident. He had no prior history of violence or mental illness. On November 12, 2022, Dobra killed Ms. Pacala in their shared home. Just a day before, they were seen together on CCTV shopping and holding hands. Following the trial, Dobra was placed in the care of the National Forensic Mental Health Services Hospital. Recently, Ioana's father, Gheorghe Gratian Pacala, filed a lawsuit against Dobra. He is seeking damages for personal injury, as he describes himself as a dependent of Ioana. In a statement to the court, Mr. Pacala expressed his family’s grief, stating that Ioana's death shattered their hopes and dreams for her future. Mr. Pacala reflected on how his daughter and Dobra were excited to build a life together. They had plans for a wedding in June 2023 and were looking forward to a happy family life. He described Ioana as a gentle and respectful person. Although the verdict was accepted, Mr. Pacala voiced concerns over the concept of innocence in cases involving mental illness. He expressed his wish for Dobra to find health and peace, rather than seeking revenge for his daughter's death. During the trial, psychiatrists confirmed that Dobra had developed delusions leading him to believe Ms. Pacala posed a threat, which contributed to his actions. Despite the tragedy, the defense emphasized that mental illness played a significant role in the case.