expressed a wish to die.

"Let's just stop stalling,'' West yelled over the voice of Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis during a routine court appearance. "I want to hang!'' The clearly-shaken West stood in front of Mr. Francis with his fists clenched.

"The way things are going, I'm going to be dead before my trial!'' he said.

But Mr. Francis ignored the outbursts and continued his conversation with West's lawyer Ms Patricia Harvey, calling for her to obtain documents on West's mental state.

As the hearing continued, West became agitated and tried to walk away from the bench, yelling out, "Take me back to my cell! I never hit the girl!'' West was restrained, and apologised to Mr. Francis, "I'm just hyped.'' The 26-year-old St. George's man is still in custody and could face the death penalty if convicted of the premeditated murder of his 30-year-old wife in a noon-time stabbing at the Chamber of Commerce building on January 5. West is due to appear in court for mention again on April 4.