Updated with sentence - David Zerafa was this evening sentenced to  life in jail after he was convicted of the murder of Gozitan lawyer Michael Grech.

The prosecution requested life imprisonment as soon as the 8-1 verdict was announced by the jurors after some five hours of deliberation.

David Zerafa seen during his trial.David Zerafa seen during his trial.
 

Zerafa had been accused of killing the lawyer outside his Marsalforn home nine years ago. Accompanied by an accomplice, he shot the lawyer and broke his skull with a baseball bat.

The crime was motivated by the fact that the lawyer had been assisting the estranged wife of the accused in separation proceedings.

The trial heard how the lawyer was unrecognisable to those who knew him when they went on the scene.

The prosecution had built its case on the basis of evidence presented by Mrs Grech, who recognised the accused - despite being hooded - because of his almond-shaped eyes. She picked him out twice in an identification parade. The jury had also heard how the accused had spoken about his crime to two persons, giving them details which even the police had not known about.

In its counter arguments the defence said the two brothers of the accused both testified that the accused was at home at the time of the murder. The defence also pointed to a lack of forensic evidence.

FRESH SUBMISSIONS - ACCUSED HAS A LONG LIST OF CONVICTIONS

Prosecuting lawyer Philip Galea Farrugia said this was the worst crime one could commit and it was shocking that someone was killed because of his profession.

The accused had been found guilty of a whole list of crimes since 1983 including violence against the police and threats against the police and against his wife. The Attorney General was therefore requesting a life sentence.

'A TRAUMA WHICH THE FAMILY WILL LIVE WITH FOR EVER'

Lawyer Arthur Azzopardi representing the victim’s family, that the victim had run away from the scene after being shot not only to save himself, but to save his family. The accused followed him. Not even a rabbit was killed in this way. This was a trauma which the family would live with for ever, especially his wife, who had known him since she was 17.

DEFENCE TO FILE APPEAL

Defence lawyer Malcolm Mifsud said his client would appeal the verdict. In an almost identical case when a man, Joseph Azzopardi was convicted of killing a prostitute, the AG did not seek a life sentence but 29 years. So was the Attorney General making a distinction because the victim was a lawyer in this case?

This case had a severe affect on his client and he was being treated by a psychiatrist.

FAMILY URGES POLICE TO ARRAIGN ACCOMPLICE

The family, through their lawyer, said they were never out to seek revenge, and nothing could bring back their loved one.

They appealed to the police to continue their investigations and arraign the accomplice.

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