Court hears conflicting testimony

A court heard yesterday how an argument between two men, allegedly over money, took a turn for the worse when one of them was shot. The trial by jury of Giosuè Gauci, 61, of Għargħur, who is charged with the attempted murder of Ronald Azzopardi on February 8, 2005, started yesterday morning.

The court, presided over by Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono, heard that the incident occurred at around 10.30 a.m. in the offices of Sovereign Hotels in Sliema.

Anthony Barbara, head of the prosecution unit at the Attorney General's office, told jurors that Mr Gauci had wished Mr Azzopardi well on New Year's Eve in 2004 saying he hoped nothing would happen to him in the New Year.

"Well it did," Dr Barbara added.

Taking the witness stand, Police Inspector Chris Pullicino said that on the day "we received a report that a person had been wounded in Sliema and was taken to St Luke's Hospital. Police officers then brought Mr Gauci to my office for questioning.

"I spoke to Mr Gauci and he said he had been to speak to Mr Azzopardi about money that the latter owed him". He added that Mr Gauci told him that "Mr Azzopardi said he could not pay him as he had to go to the VAT department to sort something out".

Mr Gauci told the police that Mr Azzopardi took out a gun but he managed to grab the gun away and fired a shot towards the ceiling and floor. He said that he then threw the gun away in Old College Street. The police, however, did not find the weapon there.

In his statement to the police, Mr Gauci said he was a property negotiator and a leading shareholder in the company that he and Mr Azzopardi were partners in.

Mr Gauci said: "Mr Azzopardi told me that he had everything arranged to be able to pay me the money that he owed me.

"He told me to go his office. I had been going there for two years to receive the payment but he always came up with some excuse." He added: "I'm licensed to use a shotgun but haven't used one for 15 years".

Testifying, Mr Azzopardi's secretary Emily Bianca Murphy said she heard Mr Gauci and Mr Azzopardi having an argument.

"I went in to tell them to stop because our clients were overhearing everything and, shortly after leaving the office, I heard a gunshot and Mr Azzopardi left running, shouting 'he shot me, he shot me'."

Another employee, Angela Camilleri, who was at the office when the shots rang out said she saw Mr Gauci run after Mr Azzopardi holding a gun.

Mariella Azzopardi, the victim's wife, said at first she thought the sound was a gas explosion because they had the heaters on.

"I heard a loud bang and then Mr Azzopardi shouting out in pain."

Testifying, Daniel Mercieca, a supplier of the company, said it was the third time he had been down to the offices to get payment from Mr Azzopardi "but as usual I went up for nothing. Coming down from Gozo for nothing is annoying".

Taking the witness stand, Mr Azzopardi said that when he arrived at work, Mr Gauci was waiting for him.

"I told him to come into my office. Shortly after that he punched me on the ear, then pulled out a gun and shot me".

He said he then made for the door and ran downstairs when Mr Gauci fired another shot and hit the post box.

"I forgave him half an hour after I left the hospital. I don't hold any grudges against Mr Gauci," he added.

Mr Azzopardi denied that Mr Gauci had come to see him about money. When asked if the weapon was his as alleged by Mr Gauci, he said: "I don't even own a weapon let alone carry one".

Lawyers Arthur Azzopardi and Matthew Brincat appeared for Mr Gauci.

This morning, the jurors will be given access to the office where the alleged crime took place.