Attempted murder trial to go ahead

The trial by jury of a man accused of the attempted murder of a policeman should go ahead as previously decided, the Criminal Court ruled yesterday.

Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono ordered the trial of Kevin Attard, 32, of Kalkara, to be held after the defence had filed a preliminary appeal asking for the bill of indictment to be declared null because the magistrate had not signed the documents as prescribed by law.

Mr Attard is accused of trying to kill PC Jonathan Farrugia at St Julians police station on April 26, 2003 at 3.30 a.m.

He is also accused of insulting, threatening, attacking and slightly injuring the constable, carrying a pointed instrument without a licence and breaching the peace outside Fuego in Paceville.

The court ruled that the compilation of evidence throughout the stages of the case was regular and there were no grounds for the bill of indictment to be declared null as requested by the defence.

Police Inspectors Martin Sammut, Mario Tonna and Robert Gregory are prosecuting.

Lawyers Edward Zammit Lewis and José Herrera are appearing for the defendant.