Stevedore charged with trying to kill four at Zebbug

A Zebbug man was yesterday charged with the attempted murder of four men by repeatedly firing a shotgun in their direction in Mdina Road, Zebbug on Tuesday at about 10.30 a.m.

Nazareno Micallef, 37, pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of Henry, Joseph, George and Daniel Falzon, to seriously injuring Henry Falzon and slightly injuring the three others.

He was also charged with keeping and carrying the shotgun and ammunition without a licence and at the time of the commission of the crime, firing the gun in public and causing over Lm500 damage to Henry Falzon`s Isuzu.

In addition, he was charged with holding Marilyn Chircop against her will and using violence to compel her to do his bidding.

Micallef`s lawyers asked for bail to be given to the accused but Police Inspector Carmelo Magri, prosecuting, objected.

He said Micallef should be denied bail, first and foremost, for his own safety.

There was also the risk of Micallef tampering with evidence because the main eyewitnesses had not yet testified. There was then the risk that, if granted bail, he would commit another crime due to his short temper. This represented a danger to society.

Insp. Magri said he had been informed that Micallef and the Falzons had received threats.

Micallef`s lawyers insisted there was no risk of their client tampering with evidence and reminded the court that he had deliberately turned himself in to the police and fully cooperated with them.

The lawyers said they only wanted bail to be granted to their client to ensure his right to work in order to maintain his family. Micallef works as a stevedore.

They called on the court to impose strict bail conditions if need be.

They said the definition of their client as being "short-tempered" was not based on evidence and, therefore, it was not a valid reason why to deny him bail.

They said the incident started when the Falzons went to Micallef`s field when there were four against one and, therefore, an element of "ganging-up".

Magistrate Abigail Lofaro rejected the defence`s plea for bail primarily because the main eyewitnesses had not yet testified.

Police Inspectors Magri and Silvana Agius prosecuted.

Dr Michael Sciriha and Dr Gavin Gulia appeared for Micallef and Dr Jason Azzopardi appeared in parte civile for the Falzons.