Farmer fired ‘in self-defence’

A farmer accused of trying to kill a father and son yesterday said he fired five shots at them only in self-defence after they started beating him up and throwing rocks at him.

Mariano Grixti, 49, of Żurrieq, testified that in October of 2005 he was rebuilding a rubble wall on his land in Żurrieq when he was approached by Joseph Mifsud and his 15-year-old son Redeemer.

They capriciously told him to stop what he was doing, he told the court.

Mr Grixti asked them for a reason and Mr Mifsud replied that it was because he wanted him to.

The accused said an argument broke out and they started beating him and pelting him with rocks. The teenager even tried to grab his shotgun as the father held Mr Grixti.

At that point he was so overcome by fear that he managed to shoot at them, he said.

Mr Grixti was questioned by prosecuting lawyer Phillip Galea Farrugia about the claim that he was being beaten, when the only injuries he had were three superficial scratches.

The accused replied that none of the rocks hit him, despite being only a couple of feet away from the other two.

He admitted to firing five shots at the pair.

When asked about the way the men were throwing the rocks at him, he said they had their backs towards him and used a burrowing motion.

Lawyer Joe Brincat is representing the accused while Franco Debono and Charmaine Cherrett are appearing for the alleged victims.

Mr Justice Michael Mallia is expected to hand down judgement tomorrow.