Woman testifies on 'plans' to kill three men

The brother of a man shot dead in Cospicua two years ago had voiced his intentions to avenge his brother's death by killing three men he believed were behind it, a woman told the Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Mary Rose Cassar said she had heard Ronnie Azzopardi speak of killing Johnny (Giovanni) and Emanuel Spiteri, the brothers of Melchior Spiteri who had been arrested and charged with the murder of Azzopardi's brother Jason.

The third man on Ronnie Azzopardi's list was Twanny il-Bona, she said.

Cassar, whose children were fathered by Jason Azzopardi, said she had decided to speak to the police because she had had enough of being threatened by her children's uncle.

She testified before Magistrate Abigail Lofaro in the compilation of evidence against Azzopardi, 31, of Cospicua, who is pleading not guilty to the attempted murder of Giovanni Spiteri on January 6.

Cassar yesterday explained that Azzopardi had started threatening her after she learnt he had stolen a van from Marsascala last June.

She added that Azzopardi had filed a report to the police in which he claimed Spiteri had shot him but she knew this was not true and that, in reality, a gun he had been cleaning at home went off when he dropped it.

Earlier, Spiteri took the witness stand and explained how he had seen Azzopardi on his way into his girlfriend's house in Marsascala and they had greeted each other.

Spiteri said he left his girlfriend's house at about midnight and drove towards his house in Cospicua.

But when he arrived near the Park of Friendship he noticed a motorbike speeding behind him and he slowed down to let it overtake him. But the motorbike slowed down when it reached his car on the driver's side.

"The cyclist was wearing something over his face but his eyes and nose were exposed and I realised it was Ronnie Azzopardi and he had a gun in his hand.

"He was driving a scrambler without a number plate and a white bumper with a blue sticker on it," he said.

"When I recognised him, I ducked and that's when I heard the first of about three shots, one of which hit me on the right shoulder."

Spiteri said he lost control of the car and drove into a wall and the cyclist sped off.

Eventually a man drove past and took him to the Cospicua police station where he filed a police report.

Inspector Anthony Cassar gave an overview of the case. He said Spiteri informed the police he suspected Azzopardi and also recalled that Azzopardi had a bike similar to the scrambler he had seen.

Azzopardi was arrested and questioned. Azzopardi said he was with Rita, his brother's widow, and her son. They went to Paceville and then for a coffee to the airport before they went home.

He said he had driven his late brother's motorbike which had been garaged for some time but denied driving it on the night of the incident. He also denied firing a gun on the day.

Asked if he had tried to avenge his brother's death, Azzopardi replied that Melchior Spiteri was paying for his actions in jail and his family had nothing to do with the matter.

Inspector Carmelo Magri explained that tests conducted on Azzopardi and his bike showed traces of gunshot residue.

Azzopardi was confronted with this information and later with the knowledge that Cassar had told the police she heard him say he planned to kill Giovanni Spiteri but he chose not to reply.

The case continues.

Police Inspectors Anthony Cassar and Carmelo Magri are prosecuting.

Dr Joseph Giglio is appearing for Azzopardi.