A verdict on whether Ronnie Azzopardi was behind a bomb that killed an innocent woman and injured another in Żejtun eight years ago is expected today.

Jurors in the trial yesterday started deliberating at 4pm after Mr Justice Michael Mallia had addressed them for more than five hours.

Two hours into their deliberations, they asked permission to resume this morning and the judge acceded to their request.

Mr Azzopardi, 41, of Cospicua stands charged with killing Angela Bondin, seriously injuring Tessie Grima, and trying to murder his intended victims, a former sister-in-law and her three young children.

According to the evidence presented in court, the bomb was detonated remotely and contained a powerful mix of one kilo of explosive and bullets.

It had been left in a grey bag in front of a post box in Our Lady of Mercy Street, near Ms Grima’s house, on June 18, 2005.

The bomb went off after Ms Grima, thinking it was rubbish, dragged it across the street and passer-by Ms Bondin stopped to see if her friend needed help.