The father of missing Toronto teenager Mariam Makhniashvili will be held in protective custody until his court appearance next week on charges related to a double stabbing.
Vakhtang Makhniashvili is facing charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault and breach of recognizance. He turned himself in to police on Thursday after a man and woman were stabbed at their Greenwood Avenue home.
During his court appearance on Friday, Makhniashvili's case was put over to Nov. 10. He will be held at the Metro West Detention Centre
He wore an orange prisoner's jumpsuit during the brief court appearance, said CTV Toronto's John Musselman. Makhniashvili looked briefly at his wife Lela Tabidze who waved to Makhniashvili and took notes during the appearance.
Outside court, she was surrounded by reporters as she walked with Calvin Barry, her husband's lawyer. Tabidze wouldn't comment.
Barry said his client will be examined by a forensic psychiatrist, adding Vakhtang has been under tremendous stress.
"It's like anything. How many smacks can you take in a short period of time? It's been a pretty tough week for the best of people in this scenario," he said.
Barry said it wouldn't be appropriate to comment on why the attack occurred.
Makhniashvili's Friday court appearance came days after his 17-year-old son, Giorgi, also known as George, disappeared from home.
Police put out an alert Monday evening that they were concerned for the safety of George Makhniashvili, who had not returned home from school. But he walked into a police station the next morning, after spending a night away from home without telling anyone where he was.
George was the last person known to see Mariam on Sept. 14, 2009 after they arrived at Forest Hill Collegiate Institute. Other than the discovery of her school backpack several weeks later, no firm evidence of her fate has ever surfaced.
Mariam’s 19th birthday was on Oct. 27.
Vakhtang has said he clings to the hope she is alive somewhere and being held against her will.
Thursday's attack
Neighbours identified the victims of Thursday's attack as David and Delores Langer, a couple who posted bail for Makhniashvili when he was charged in a separate stabbing about six months ago.
That May 7 incident occurred on a day in which a body had been discovered in a northeast Toronto park.
Makhniashvili reportedly did not know the couple when they offered to put up bail on his behalf.
For unknown reasons, the couple later withdrew bail for Vakhtang Makhniashvili and his own wife, Lela Tabidze, was forced to put up his bail instead.
A police detective has said the Langers got involved in the case for various reasons, but also felt they had no hidden motives.
Vakhtang had been under very strict bail conditions. He wasn't to leave the house by himself, and was directed to meet with a forensic psychiatrist and have an assessment performed at the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health.
No allegations against Vakhtang have been proven in a court of law.
With a report from CTV Toronto's John Musselman
