Defence witnesses to take the stand as Gozo murder trial enters fifth day

The trial by jury of David Zerafa, the man accused with killing a lawyer in Marsalforn, Gozo, in 2004, has entered its fifth day.

Zerafa, 39 from Nadur is facing charges of willful homicide. On 24 May 2004, Gozitan lawyer Michael Grech was shot in the neck outside his residence and then dragged to a subterranean garage, where a fatal blow to the head was delivered.

The lawyer's wife found his body lying face down in a pool of blood.

Jurors were yesterday taken for an onsite inquiry in Gozo. They visited the scene of crime in St Mary Street, Marsalforn.

They were also taken to a room belonging to the accused, at Ramla l-Hamra. It is alleged that Zerafa and his accomplice had changed their blood-stained clothes in this room.

Police searches in 2005 had unearthed an axe here which the accused had described to fellow inmates Rodney Vella and Steve Spiteri.

Zerafa had told them that he was preparing the axe to murder his estranged wife and his former accomplice.

The jurors are now hearing the defence witnesses. 

Later this evening, Phillip Galea Farrugia and Maurizo Cordina will make their submissions for the prosecution. This will be followed by Malcom Mifsud's submissions for the defence.

Judge Lawrence Quintano will subsequently deliver his closing address. The jurors will then leave the courtroom for their deliberations.

Arthur Azzopardi and Kathleen Grima are appearing a parte civile.