Inspector recounts circumstances leading to Qormi murder

A police inspector this morning explained to a court the circumstances which led to the fatal shooting of Martin Scicluna in Qormi last week.

He was testifying in the compilation of evidence against Dione Mercieca, who is accused of the murder.

Inspector Daniel Zammit said he rushed to the office where the shooting took place and spoke to employees who told him that there was an argument between Mr Scicluna and Mr Mercieca .

One of the employees told him that he heard Mr Scicluna shouting at Mr Mercieca "Inti hawnhekk daqshekk."

The company's cleaner, Carmen Milvanovich, told the inspector that after a heated argument broke out, Mr Mercieca went down the stairs in a hurry and then returned holding a shotgun.

Norbert Pace, who was in the office at the time, said he heard Mr Scicluna telling Mr Mercieca "take your things and leave." Mr Mercieca told him "that's not how we reason things out."

Two shots were later heard.

Mr Scicluna suffered severe head injuries from a gunshot wound. He also suffered a gunshot wound in his left shoulder.

The police inspector said Mr Mercieca had told him that he had partnered Mr Scicluna in business for many years.The business had been going well, but problems cropped up in the past nine months. He said that since Mr Scicluna had started an extramarital affair he seemed to be on edge, and he suspected that Mr Scicluna was misappropriating cash, since he was not paying his creditors.

The case continues.