Victim Alphonse Ferriggi.

Two men were yesterday charged with the cold-blooded murder of a bank messenger 14 years ago following the conviction of two other members of the gang who had spilled the beans.

James Vella, 33, of Qormi, known as Il-Frejżer, and Chris Scerri, 35, of Pietá, known as Gazzetti or Buttuni, pleaded not guilty to murdering Alphonse Ferriggi, 42, on September 18, 2000 outside the Bank of Valletta branch in San Ġwann. Mr Ferriggi was delivering mail to the bank in the early hours when a group of four men drove up and shot him in the head at near point-blank range thinking he was carrying money.

Joseph Zammit, 57, of Floriana, known as Żeppi ir-Redgħu, was jailed for 31 years in 2009 for the murder and Richard Grech, 47, Iż-Żinanna, was jailed for life in May 2011.

Pleading not guilty, Mr Vella insisted he knew nothing about the case.

Lawyer Franco Debono, representing both men, contested the validity of their arrest and questioned why they were not charged under summons. He invoked the recently enacted law of right to disclosure and asked the prosecuting officer what evidence the police had against his clients.

Not of sound character

Police Inspector Chris Pullicino said that, after reviewing the case with Police Inspector Keith Arnaud, he could say that the evidence against the accused included the testimony by Mr Grech and Mr Zammit, witnesses who placed them at the scene and other pieces of information corroborating the evidence, including of a forensic nature.

Dr Debono asked for bail, arguing that the crime had been committed many years ago and there was no fear of the accused leaving the island or tampering with evidence once the police had everything documented.

The prosecution objected, insisting that the accused were not of sound character as shown by their criminal records.

Magistrate Gabriella Vella denied bail, saying the fact that the crime happened years ago did not detract from its seriousness.

Mr Vella and Mr Scerri were no strangers to the court.

Mr Grech, a reformed drug and alcohol addict, had admitted in his trial that he formed part of a group of four men who planned the hold-up.

However, he had left to get a drink moments before the crime took place, he added, pointing a finger at Mr Scerri and Mr Vella.

He said Mr Vella had planned it all and it was he who fired the gun.

Mr Vella was so violent he could murder his own children and had even knocked his mother’s teeth out during an argument, Mr Grech had testified.

The jury had also heard that Mr Zammit had told the police he had been approached by Mr Grech about “a job”.

Mr Grech had told him that twice a week a man delivered bags to the bank at 5am and had outlined a plan to rob the branch.

Mr Zammit had at first declined, then, a few days before the incident, he was asked again and gave in to the pressure, agreeing to drive the getaway car.

Timeline

September 18, 2000 at about 5.30 am: Alphonse Ferriggi, a Bank of Valletta employee, is shot dead while delivering mail to the San Ġwann branch at near point-blank range by thieves who thought he was carrying cash.

January 14, 2003: Joseph Zammit, 57, of Floriana, Żeppi ir-Redgħu, and Richard Grech, 47, Iż-Żinanna, are charged with the murder.

February 5, 2009: Mr Zammit is jailed for 31 years after jurors find him guilty by seven votes to two of being an accomplice in the murder.

May 10, 2011: Mr Grech is found unanimously guilty of murder and is jailed for life.

July 12, 2014: James Vella, Il-Frejżer, 33, of Qormi, and Chris Scerri, Gazzetti or Buttuni, 35, of Pietá, plead not guilty to the murder.