Murder victim's heirs win Lm30,000 damages

The heirs of a man shot dead 16 years ago have been awarded damages amounting to almost Lm30,000 by Mr Justice Raymond Pace, sitting in the First Hall of the Civil Court.

The judgment was delivered in the case filed by the heirs of the late Stephen Ellul Bonici against Salvatore Farrugia.

The heirs told the court Mr Farrugia had killed Mr Ellul Bonici when he shot him in the night of January 11, 1990.

The court heard that the late Mr Ellul Bonici had some difficulties with Mr Farrugia's children about the running of Mes Amis Bar and Restaurant, in Marsascala. The victim had been in the restaurant before the shooting occurred.

An eyewitness told the court she had heard shouting and saw Mr Ellul Bonici leaving the restaurant with Mr Farrugia chasing him.

Lauren Mizzi told the court she saw the victim running to his car and trying to leave the place.

She saw Mr Ellul Bonici activate the car's wipers and turn on the lights before he was shot twice by Mr Farrugia.

The court found in favour of the heirs and ruled that Mr Farrugia was responsible for the shooting and for Mr Ellul Bonici's death.

Mr Justice Pace added that Mr Farrugia had totally failed to prove his assertion that Mr Ellul Bonici had shot at him. On the contrary it clearly resulted that at the decisive moment only Mr Farrugia was armed and shooting a man who was trying to run away from him.

The court concluded by ordering Mr Farrugia to pay Lm29,305 to Mr Ellul Bonici's heirs.