Jurors are expected to continue to deliberate this morning in the trial of a man charged with attempted murder after he stabbed another man inside a courtroom two years ago.

The jury retired to deliberate following a four-day trial but after two-and-a-half hours decided to resume today.

Pasqualino Cefai, 39, from Żebbuġ, Gozo is pleading not guilty to trying to kill Joseph Portelli, 57, from the same village during a court case in full view of a magistrate.

Mr Cefai wanted to stop Mr Portelli from executing a warrant of seizure of two trucks which had been demanded as payment for an outstanding debt of €10,000.

Seconds before the frenzied attack with a knife, Magistrate Josette Demicoli had ordered Mr Cefai out of the court room after he interrupted the proceedings. In a flash, he stormed back in and assaulted Mr Portelli.

The defence counsel are not contesting the incident but argued their client never meant to commit murder as Mr Portelli only sustained two stab wounds and the rest of his injuries were slash wounds.

The prosecution argue that the multiple injuries were in themselves evidence enough of the intention to kill.