Two men accused of the murder of Bank of Valletta messenger Alphonse Ferriggi 14 years ago were yesterday granted bail, almost four months to the day since their arraignment in July.
Magistrate Josette Demicoli upheld a request for bail after the prosecution said there were no sensitive witnesses left to testify, except for one of the two alleged accomplices, who are both serving time in jail over the crime.
James Vella, 34, of Qormi, known as Il-Frejzer, and 36-year-old Chris Scerri, known as Buttuni, stand charged with murdering Mr Ferriggi on September 18, 2000, when he was shot outside the BOV branch in San Ġwann.
The messenger was delivering mail, having parked his white Peugeot 306 station wagon opposite the mail box and opened the luggage boot when a dark-coloured car pulled up beside him.
He was shot in the head at almost point-blank range and left for dead on the pavement. His assailants thought the mail bags he was carrying contained money.
Two other men, Joseph Zammit, 57, of Floriana, known as Żeppi Redgħu, and Richard Grech, 47, Iż-Żinanna, claimed the two accused were involved.
Mr Zammit was jailed for 31 years in 2009 over the killing while Mr Grech was jailed for life in May 2011.
Magistrate Demicoli upheld defence lawyer Franco Debono’s arguments against the objections submitted by Police Inspector Keith Arnaud, who cited the serious nature of the offence, the extensive criminal records of the men accused and their intimidating reputation.
Dr Debono insisted these were not good enough reasons to refuse bail, saying the prosecution was stuck in a legal loophole as its main witness – Mr Grech – has appealed his conviction and therefore could not testify in this case until that appeal was settled.
He also said that the testimony heard in court so far was “vague” and verging on the “conjecture”.
Magistrate Demicoli granted the men bail against a deposit of €23,000 and a personal guarantee of €30,000. They also have to sign the bail book daily.
Police Inspectors Keith Arnaud and Chris Pullicino are prosecuting while lawyers Marion Camilleri and Angie Muscat also appeared for the men.