The director general of the Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises – GRTU, Vince Farrugia suffered only slight injuries when he was attacked at his office last year, according to a court expert who yesterday cast a shadow on previous medical evidence given in the case.
In an unexpected twist, court appointed pathologist Mario Scerri told the court he disagreed with what consultant radiologist Anthony Samuel had said in his report and insisted that Mr Farrugia did not suffer any fractures.
Dislocated ribs were not classified as serious but as slight, Dr Scerri said before casting doubt as to whether such injuries were the result of the actual incident, saying they could have been caused by a strong cough.
In view of this new evidence, Police Inspector James Grech asked that Dr Samuel be brought to testify again.
Dr Scerri was testifying in the case of Sandro Chetcuti, 38, a former GRTU council member, who stands charged with Mr Farrugia’s attempted murder.
According to evidence heard in court, Mr Chetcuti violently attacked Mr Farrugia, punching and kicking him even after he fell to the floor following an argument between the two a year ago.
Dr Scerri’s testimony was the first evidence so far supporting the defence team’s stand in questioning Dr Samuel’s integrity when they accused him of exaggerating the medical results because of his alleged strong ties with the Farrugia family.
When he testified last July, Dr Samuel admitted he knew Mr Farrugia’s wife, daughter and son but flatly denied altering the medical results, adding everything was documented in the medical imaging department at Mater Dei Hospital.
To support his stand, Dr Scerri yesterday read out parts of a report drawn up by another doctor, Conrad Borg, who had examined Mr Farrugia at the emergency department at Mater Dei shortly after the incident. Dr Scerri said Dr Borg’s report backed his version because he said there were no fractures but contusions.
Questioned by Mr Farrugia’s son and lawyer, Jean Carl, Dr Scerri said he based his opinion on a three-phase bone scan taken 11 days after the incident which, even when enlarged, showed no sign of fractures.
At the end of the sitting, Magistrate Edwina Grima, lifted the midnight curfew imposed on Mr Chetcuti.
The case continues.
Lawyers Edward Gatt, Emanuel Mallia and Arthur Azzopardi are defence counsel.
Lawyer Kris Busietta is representing Mr Farrugia together with Dr Farrugia.