Three charged with 1989 murder

Three men, including one who is wheelchair-bound, were yesterday charged with murder 15 years ago.

Wheelchair-bound Mikiel Vella, 65, known as il-fish, Carmelo Sant, 53, known as Karmnu harbat and George Pace, also 53, known as il-berqa, were accused of killing Nazzareno Ebejer in April 1989.

Homicide squad inspector Christopher Pullicino accused Vella, originally from Gharghur but now residing at St Vincent de Paul Home, Sant, also of Gharghur but with no fixed address, and Pace, of Birkirkara, with killing Ebejer, a 66-year-old man, by firing a shotgun at him at l-Ahrax, in Mellieha.

They were further charged with attempted theft, which theft did not take place because of something beyond their control.

They were also charged with being in possession of a shotgun and ammunition without a licence.

Vella was further charged with relapsing.

The victim lived on his own in a house close to the old railway station in Birkirkara, having returned to Malta a year before from Wales, where he had settled and lived for a long time after being released from prison in 1958. He had been jailed for 18 years for the death of Nina Galea, a 36-year-old mother of nine, at il-Laqxija, in Birkirkara.

Galea was hit by a bullet on July 20, 1952 when Ebejer had fired a revolver at his brother-in-law, Vincent Saliba, with whom he had an argument. Saliba had ducked and the bullet hit the woman, who was sitting on her doorstep. She died instantly.

He had been found guilty in a trial by jury by seven votes to two but had only served six years out his 18-year jail term thanks to an amnesty given in 1958.

Ebejer was known to be a wealthy man who carried considerable amounts of cash around.

His body was found on April 10, 1989.

Dr Silvio Brincat, who appeared for Vella, informed the court that his client was receiving treatment at St Vincent de Paule Home.

Dr Josè Herrera who, together with Dr Chris Cardona, appeared for Pace, said he would not be asking for bail at this stage but as his client suffered from diabetes, the director of prisons should be made aware to ensure that the necessary medication would be given.

Dr Joe Brincat, who appeared for Sant, questioned whether the arrest was valid.

Police Superintendent Pierre Calleja said the charge brought against the three was homicide, which meant they could be arraigned under arrest and they were brought before the court within the time prescribed by law.

Magistrate Michael Mallia ordered that the accused be remanded in custody in prison and that the director would be notified to give them any medical attention they may require.