Convicted murderer to appeal

Norbert Schembri, the man jailed for life for stabbing to death his former girlfriend and the mother of his daughter, will be appealing his sentence.

Contacted yesterday, defence lawyer Joe Brincat said he is in the process of preparing a lengthy appeal, which he expected to file on Monday.

He said there are a number of points he will be dealing with but could not elaborate yesterday.

Mr Schembri shocked the courtroom on Thursday when, after sentencing, he turned to the victim's family and told them: "I'm still alive, I'm still alive".

Following the 8-1 guilty verdict, Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono sentenced Mr Schembri to life imprisonment, which, unless it is reduced on appeal, effectively means he will not leave prison alive.

In handing down sentence, Mr Justice Galea Debono pointed out that just eight days before the murder took place, Mr Schembri's probation, imposed in another case, had been extended, despite the evidence of a probation officer who said the accused had tested positive for cocaine and had been threatening his former girlfriend.

The four-day trial saw evidence accumulate against him day by day as neighbours who witnessed the crime testified.

The only female juror was excused and left the trial after pictures of the victim's slashed body shown to the jury were too much for her to stomach.