Murder suspects of 2005 murder acquitted

Anthony Bugeja and Piero Di Bartolo have been acquitted following a trial by jury on Saturday regarding the murder of Albert Brian Rosso, who disappeared in 2005 and whose body was never found. 

Rosso, 48, from Marsaxlokk, was shot dead in his hometown on October 10, 2005, outside a house belonging to Anthony Bugeja, one of the men accused of his murder. Prosecutors said that Rosso’s killing was connected to a dispute over a fishing vessel owned by Rosso and Bugeja and on which Di Bartolo worked. It was alleged that the pair shot Rosso and threw his body into the sea along with bricks and rocks, so the body wouldn't surface.

On Saturday, the jury reached a decision in a matter of two hours. A vote of 7-2 resulted in the accused being found not guilty of murder, while Di Bartolo was also found not guilty of being complicit in the murder. After reaching their decision, the accused's lawyers were informed of the jury's decision, along with the prosecution. In court, the accused and their family members rejoiced upon hearing the decision.

The defence and prosecution concluded their arguments on Friday, and at around 9:00am the day later, the jurors were given guidance on how one should proceed in cases such as this. Here, Judge Consuelo Scerri Herrera explained that if one is not certain, the jurors should not fill in the gaps of the case themselves, while telling them that one should not take into consideration anything they might have heard outside the court.

Lawyers Arthur Azzopardi and Franco Debono represented Bugeja, with lawyer Roberto Montaldo appearing for Di Bartolo. Lawyer Stefano Filletti is parte civile.

Lawyers Angele Vella and Andrea Zammit from the Office of the Attorney General prosecuted.

Lawyers Arthur Azzopardi and Franco Debono represented Bugeja, with lawyer Roberto Montaldo appearing for Di Bartolo