Farmer charged with attempted murder

A 35-year-old farmer was yesterday charged with the attempted murder of a man and of slightly injuring him by allegedly firing a gun in his direction following an argument over access to an alley in Msida, limits of San Ġwann.

When he was arraigned yesterday evening, Carmel Mifsud, of Msida, pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of Joseph Cachia, to slightly injuring him and to the illegal possession of a firearm on Saturday at about 10 a.m.

Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani heard Mr Mifsud's lawyer, Pawlu Lia, explain that although the charges were serious, this was a "piteous" case and his client was going through a very stressful period. The whole matter revolved around a dispute regarding an alleyway which was registered as a public passage but which was blocked off by a "public person".

As a result Mr Mifsud and his family had to get to their home through fields.

Dr Lia also stressed that his client did not fire his gun at anyone.

He asked the magistrate to order that Mr Mifsud be detained at Mount Carmel Hospital, and not in prison, until he was visited by his doctor. The magistrate upheld the request.

Police Inspector Joseph Mercieca prosecuted.