Deniro Magri, who stands accused of fatally shooting a man in Marsa on February 12, appeared to have been expecting an attack on his house and had taken "precautions", according to testimony given in court this morning.

Mr Magri, 27, from Marsa, is pleading not guilty to the killing of 25-year-old Sylvester Farrugia who was shot dead in a stolen car in Marsa. His defence counsel are pleading self-defence, arguing he had opened fire after unknown people tried to set his house door on fire.

In court testimony this morning during the compilation of evidence, Police Inspector Keith Arnaud, prosecuting, said that Mr Magri after having allegedly received several threats, had bought a pistol and installed CCTV cameras outside his home.

Counsel pleading self-defence, arguing he opened fire after unknown people tried to set his house door on fire

His mattress was placed right in front of a TV monitor so that he could keep an eye.

The inspector said Mr Magri had told the police that on the day in question, at about 2.30am, he was at his home with his partner and son. He heard noises outside the front door, and on seeing people there, he opened fire.

However, Mr Magri only learnt that he had hit someone the following day, from news reports.

Mr Magri told the police he then ran downstairs and found a tyre and jerrycan, which he threw away in an open area near December 13 Road. He also threw away his pistol.

Mr Magri, who claimed to be in a state of panic, did not report the incident to the police, but went to his parents' home where he changed and showered.

Inspector Arnaud said that the jerrycan and tyre were found the following day by the police, but there was no trace of the pistol. 

Murder victim Sylvester Farrugia

Inspector Arnaud also described how the murder scene was discovered by a policewoman who was on her way to work at about 5am.

SCENE OF THE MURDER

They found a Toyota Starlet car in Simpson Street, with a shattered back windscreen and a dead man nearby. 

The victim, who was wearing a hoodie, gloves, tracksuit pants and one shoe, was shot in the back.

Among the items found in the car was the cap of a jerrycan.  

Neighbours said they had not heard any shots.

The car and its number plates had been previously stolen. 

The investigators were later told that there was more shattered glass at Triq  l-Għabex some three blocks away.

During questioning there, policemen were told by a resident that he had heard two bangs (shots) at about 2.30am.

The police were directed to nearby St Paul Street, where the accused lived. Between his front door and an outer aluminium gate they found a sack with black tape, smelling of petrol.  

The police later managed to identify the murder victim and on searching his garage in Żurrieq, found a sack and black tape very similar to the one found outside Mr Magri's front door.

Lawyers Giannella de Marco, Jean-Luca Caruana Curran, Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri are appearing for the accused. 

Dr Jason Azzopardi is appearing for the victim's family.

The case is being heard before Magistrate Aaron Bugeja.