Businessman accused of murdering partner, dies after long illness

A businessman who was out on bail since shooting dead his business partner back in 2008, has died after a long illness.

Spiridione (Dione) Mercieca, 54, of Birkirkara, died on Wednesday morning, having spent years awaiting prosecution as the wheels of justice turned slowly.

Mercieca had shot Martin Scicluna, 43 of Siggiewi, on 17 September 2008, shooting him twice in the head with a shotgun following an argument. Various employees witnessed the murder of the father of two at the sports shop that the two men owned.

Mercieca gave himself up at the law courts in Valletta at around noon shortly after shooting Scicluna.

The two men had been at the Qormi office in Guze Galea Street of All Sports International – a company specialised in the installation of artificial turf pitches – of which Scicluna was chairman and Mercieca was managing director.  It was believed that the two partners had a quarrel over their business.

Before the murder, Mercieca would provide regular security during past election campaigns for the Nationalist Party.

Testifying in court a month after the murder, witness Norbert Pace told the court that the victim had wanted Mercieca out of the company as he had suspected foul play in the company’s finances. But on that fateful day, Pace heard the two businessmen arguing in Scicluna’s office, with Scicluna ordering Mercieca to get his things and leave. According to Pace, Mercieca did indeed leave the office only to return with a gun and shots rang out.

Mercieca then left the premises and drove his Mitsubishi off-roader to Valletta, parked in Palace Square and walked right up to the law courts, found Police Inspector Chris Pullicino and gave himself in. Police later found the shotgun with two cartridges left in his car.

During the compilation of evidence, the police inspector said that Mercieca had walked up to him and said: “I have made a mistake, but I could not stand him anymore.”

Four years after the murder, Scicluna’s father Oliver had told the media that his son’s death had provoked his mother’s demise.

Scicluna said his family and himself were still shocked about what happened and couldn’t understand why the case was taking so long, complaining that Mercieca was also given permission to travel abroad.

“Four years have passed and the man accused of the shooting is still free, enjoying bail in comfort and luxury and is free to travel. This depreciates the seriousness of the crime and serves to undermine respect for the law,” Scicluna said in 2011. “Justice delayed is justice denied... I hope that with the new reform of the judiciary system justice will now done.”