Tests on gun show it was used in murder

A ballistics expert declared in court yesterday that a shotgun he had been given by the court to test was the same one used in a murder at l-Ahrax over 15 years ago.

Maurice Calleja, who had been nominated by Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani Grima as an expert, testified that cartridges fired from the gun had identical features as those found on the scene of the crime, and could thus conclude that the gun had been used to kill Nazzareno Ebejer.

Brigadier Calleja was testifying in the compilation of evidence against Mikiel Vella, 65, known as il-Fixx, Carmelo Sant, 53, known as Karmnu Harbat and George Pace, also 53, known as il-Berqa, who stand accused of killing Ebejer in April 1989.

Homicide squad inspector Christopher Pullicino accused the three with killing Ebejer, a 66-year-old man, by firing a shotgun at him at l-Ahrax, in Mellieha. They also stand charged with attempted theft and being in possession of a shotgun and ammunition without a licence.

Ebejer had been killed with shots to his face and neck. His body was found on April 10, 1989 and it had taken the police several days to identify him.

The shotgun exhibited in court was found in a residence of a relative of one of the accused who allegedly bought the gun from him after the murder took place.

The case continues.