Superintendent recalls fatal shooting

A man who is facing a trial by jury charged with the murder of another man when he fired shots in his direction more than eight years ago told police that he was so angry that he had no idea what he was doing.

Raymond Camilleri is charged with killing 24-year-old Christopher Camilleri from Zejtun when he allegedly fired two shots in his direction following an argument over a parking space. He is also accused of carrying an unlicensed weapon.

Police Superintendent Carmelo Bartolo, who at the time was an inspector, told jurors that on October 6, 1999, Mr Camilleri turned up at the Zurrieq police station and gave himself in to the police, telling them: "Do whatever you want with me because I just shot a man and I do not know what happened to him".

Superintendent Bartolo said Mr Camilleri, 43, from Zurrieq, told police that he "saw red" when he shot Christopher Camilleri twice. He explained that he had had several arguments with the victim over parking because the victim parked his car in front of his house (the accused) more often than not.

The accused told police that the victim was very aggressive and although he had one arm in plaster, he still managed to punch him in the face. He also told him that he would burn his car. Mr Camilleri then went to his garage, got hold of a firearm and fired one shot in his direction. The victim ran for shelter but the accused followed him and shot him a second time, he told police. The accused also told police that he was "very sorry" for what he had done.

Superintendent Bartolo testified that the investigating team found two spent cartridges in the street, one near the accused's garage and the other one in the middle of the road. He said his team searched the defendant's house, where they found a shotgun and a cartridge belt with two missing cartridges.

The witness also explained that it was not the first incident involving Christopher Camilleri that day. The police were informed that a woman in her nightdress was in the middle of the road at Triq Furtunato Dalli. They went on site and found the victim's partner, Carmen Portelli Bouvet, who lives in an apartment across the road from Mr Camilleri's house.

Ms Portelli Bouvet told the police that she heard Christopher Camilleri arguing with someone outside in the street and when she looked out, she saw Mr Camilleri with a shotgun in his hand and saw him shooting at her boyfriend. Until she went downstairs, she heard another shot and found her partner lying on the pavement.

Police Sergeant Saviour Cacciattolo, who was on duty on the night, testified that at around 10.45 p.m. he received an anonymous call that shots had been heard and a few minutes later Raymond Camilleri showed up at the police station and told the police that he shot someone.

Yesterday trial by jury continued with the testimonies of a number of court experts who were appointed by the inquiring magistrate at the time.

The trial continues tomorrow.