Updated: Madliena man denies attempted murder

Adds evidence by the victim -

Anton Camilleri, 44 of Madliena this morning pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of Saviour Mangion on May 9, 2004.

He is also pleading not guilty to being in possession of a weapon which he allegedly used to shoot Mr Mangion.

Mr Camilleri this morning started facing a trial by bench presided over by Mr Justice Michael Mallia.

Superintendent Silvio Valletta told the court that on May 9, 2004 at around 10 a.m. in front of Mr Camilleri's house in Madliena, an argument broke out between Mr Camilleri and Mr Mangion over some papers related to a promise of sale of a garage belonging to Mr Camilleri.

The promise of sale was between Mr Mangion, who used to work for Mr Camilleri, and Mr Camilleri himself.

Supt Valletta explained that Mr Mangion and his wife Giovanna contacted Mr Camilleri at around 7 a.m. because they wanted some documents returned. Mr Camilleri replied that he could not make it at that time.

Mr Mangion and his wife drove up to Mr Camilleri's house and waited for him. When he arrived, he got out of the car and an argument broke out, the superintendent said.

Mrs Mangion told the police that she saw Mr Camilleri going into his car and brought out a pouch from which he produced a weapon. She shouted 'no, no, no' and pushed his arm up, the superintendent said. She also told the police that she heard a noise and saw a cartridge come out the weapon.

Mr Mangion told the police that he saw Mr Camilleri point the weapon at him. He did not move because he did not think he would shoot him, but he did not hear anything because he has hearing problems.

Superintendent Valletta said that Mr Camilleri denied ever using a weapon. He also told the police in his statement that Mr Mangion was about to hit him and he defended himself. He went to his car to get his diary and keys.

He said his wife, who was with him in the car, held him from hitting Mr Mangion, but he never shot anyone.

Mr Camilleri told the police that had he wanted to kill Mr Mangion, he would have fetched his shotgun from his home.

When asked by defence counsel Giannella Caruana Curran, Supt. Valletta confirmed that only Mrs Mangion heard the shot. When asked about gunshot residue tests, Supt Valletta said that tests were carried out and Mr Camilleri came clear.

ACCUSED GIVES EVIDENCE

Giving evidence, Mr Mangion said that Mr Camilleri had a copy of the promise of sale and a paper which he (Mr Mangion) had signed, because he wanted to exchange a garage also owned by Mr Camilleri with another garage which was the subject of the promise of sale agreement.

On the day of the incident he went to Mass with his wife and then they decided to go to Mr Camilleri's house. He was not in and they waited for him. Mr Camilleri drove up a short time afterwards with his wife. As they argued, Mr Camilleri told him "These are not things which should be done, I am going to lose my temper". At one time Mr Camilleri raised his hand with a clenched fist. Mr Mangion said his wife came in between them. Mr Camilleri pushed her aside and punched him.

Mr Mangion said he hit him back, hitting him in the face. He then saw Mr Camilleri go to the car and he heard Mrs Camilleri screaming in the background "Ton, what are you going to do?". He saw Mr Camilleri open the driver's door and take out a small gun.

"He pointed it at me and I froze" Mr Mangion said. Mr Camilleri was screaming in the background and then in between them but her pushed her away.

Replying to prosecution questions, Mr Mangion said he did not hear any gunshot, but said he was deaf in his right ear.

He said he could not remember what Mr Camilleri did with the weapon, but he tried to hit him again.

Mr Mangion said he tried to defend himself, but slipped on the gravel and fell. Mr Camilleri was about to hit him when he was lying on the floor, but he managed to escape in his car with Mrs Mangion.

When questioned by Dr Caruana Curran, Mr Mangion said that he first met Mr Camilleri when they tried to deal about a garage. The night before the incident they were working together at Mr Camilleri's place in Gozo. Mr Mangion said he had wanted to change the garage with a bigger one, and because mould had appeared on the walls.

Mr Justice Michael Mallia asked Mr Mangion whether he considered it normal to call somebody at 7 a.m. over business. Mr Mangion said 7 a.m. was a normal time for him.

Dr Caruana Curran asked him if he had been under pressure from his wife. Mr Mangion said he was and that his wife had been listening in to his phone call.