Gozo man confesses to warden's murder

A Gozo man yesterday pleaded guilty to the murder of local warden Fortunata Spiteri in August 2001, insisting he did not mastermind the murder.

Benny Attard, 46, of Xaghra, filed his guilty plea when the compilation of evidence in his case continued in Gozo before Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera who heard more witnesses for the prosecution, in particular experts nominated to assist in the inquiry.

Dr Mario Scerri for Attard, explained to the court that notwithstanding his client's involvement in the murder Attard was not the mastermind behind it.

At the time of the murder, the accused had been in dire financial straits and the mastermind behind the murder had offered him a sum of money in return for his role in the crime.

The court was also told the accused intended to continue cooperating with the police in their investigations into the murder.

Two other men, John Attard and Guzeppi Farrugia, have already been charged by the police over the murder. The second man died before the proceedings against him were concluded.