Accused of wife's murder
A man was yesterday accused of stabbing his wife to death in broad daylight in the middle of a Tarxien street on Monday.
Nervously twitching his legs throughout the hearing, 47-year-old Roger Agius, of Fgura, pleaded not guilty to the murder, being in possession of a knife and relapsing.
He allegedly stabbed 40-year-old mother of three Catherine Agius once below her breasts, causing her to drop her handbag and shopping while bleeding profusely.
The stabbing occurred at 5.55 p.m. just as she stepped off the bus on her way home in Neolithic Temple Street. Mr Agius turned himself in at the Paola police station shortly afterwards.
Bearded and dressed in a light green jacket and dark blue trousers, Mr Agius gave his particulars to the court, as is standard procedure, saying he was unemployed.
Defence lawyer Emanuel Mallia asked the court to order that his client be seen by a doctor for psychological and medical reasons but "more medically than forensically".
The accused was remanded in custody.
Magistrate Giovanni Grixti then asked whether Mr Agius would need to be kept in any other specialised unit of the prison and Dr Mallia replied that that was why he had asked for his client to be examined.
Lawyer Arthur Azzopardi also appeared for Mr Agius.
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Lina Caruana
Jul 17th 2009, 12:19
Dear Christine what I said is the contrary of what you misunderstood. Certainly no excuse to any wrongdoer. What I meant that whichever way you look at a marriage relationship which goes wrong is painful . Responding to it with aggression is certainly wrong but can legality put a stop to a highly emotional situation '?May the lord help all people in this predicament and keeps them in control of their actions so as not to commit such a horrendous act..
Lina Caruana
Jul 17th 2009, 12:10
I am always deeply sorry when mishaps of this kind occur especially for close family. No insensitivity was intended, on the contrary. I meant that both spouses even if separated are important to each other and their life is marked for ever for better or worse. I am extremely sensitive for people who have to suffer this way. What I meant was that legality may offer some releif but is it all that a married couple need to live without all the stress that such a situation brings with it? May all society be sensitive to the pain of such situations and help by promoting positive action especially to hurt parties rather than speak of legality as a way out when there is so much suffering. Mrs Degiorgio accept my deepest sympathy during this time .Prayers for you and all the family are what can be offered to you so that God willl help you and all the family in your needs . Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be sensitive to your suffering in times of grief.
Sandra Degiorgio
Jul 15th 2009, 23:35
Lina I think we speak a different language I am far from saying our society should be a free for all, infact quite the opposite. Catherine is my flesh and blood I don't believe that seperation (as you said drive people to insanity), because I took it that you saying "seperation drives people to insanity," that it was ok when spouses go around and kill each other. Claiming insanity, is an EASY excuse. You need to be careful with the way you word things because people,(especially), family can get really offended, especially when a family member was taken away in such tragic, circumstances.
Christine Galea
Jul 15th 2009, 16:41
@ Lina Caruana
Marriage deserves better than being "lightly dissolved in a legal manner". By your reasoning, our society would become a free-for-all. There are other situations in life which can drive people to "insanity, extreme hatred or serious depression". Surely you are not advocating
this as an excuse for legalising just about anything!!
sandra degiorgio
Jul 15th 2009, 15:24
I am writing in response to Lina Caruana. I am the cousin of Catherine the innocent lady that died a horrible death. Your comments made no sense at all, that seperation can drive a person to insanity, Imagine if we all used that excuse when going through a seperation, half the population would be gone.
Lina Caruana
Jul 15th 2009, 11:11
It could be possible that the emotional input of a marriage relationship is far from dissoluble. Separation is a grave situation where some people are driven to insanity, extreme hatred or serious depresson. Why keep on ignoring that the marriage bond can be so lightly dissolved in a legal manner?