‘Smoking gun’ in hold-up case

The prosecuting lawyer in a trial of two men accused of armed robbery yesterday stressed that the case was solid and the evidence was a smoking gun pointing to the fact that they committed the crime.

Aaron Cassar, 32, of Kirkop, and Noel Frendo, 36, of Qawra, were found in possession of a small black pouch containing the stolen money as well as items such as balaclavas, gloves and clothing used in the hold-up, said Lara Lanfranco from the Attorney General’s Office.

The two men stand charged with stealing some €7,000 from 70-year-old Joseph Grixti. The theft had occured in July 2004.

They allegedly stopped him in his car and held him at gunpoint before making off with the money.

Defence lawyers Chris Cardona, Mark Vassallo and Malcolm Mifsud highlighted the fact that the there was no DNA evidence linking the men to the crime.

Jurors are expected to retire to deliberate today.