One of the shots that killed a man in front of his grandchildren in Kalkara was fired from just 40 centimetres away, ballistic experts testified yesterday.

They also told the court that the butt of a shotgun they examined was snapped in two.

Brigadier (retired) Maurice Calleja and Police Sergeant Joseph Farrugia were testifying in the compilation of evidence against Godwin Scicluna, 52, the victim’s son-in-law.

Her daughter was hit by the pellets

He stands charged with killing Joseph Caruana, 61, and with the attempted murder of his estranged wife, Simone, and their three children, one of whom was injured in the shooting. The children were aged five, three and eight months.

The ballistic experts said a total of four shots were fired that Sunday morning, October 27 last year. Three of the shots hit the victim and the fourth a car. They said that one of the fatal shots was fired from a distance of not more than 40 centimetres and the other two from a distance of about three metres. One hit the victim in his left arm and the other in his lower spine.

The fourth shot was fired in the direction of a Kia car and was discharged from such close range that the bullet got lodged in the vehicle’s middle pillar.

In previous sittings, the court heard that an argument ensued between Mr Scicluna and his estranged partner, the victim’s daughter, over a digital camera. The woman’s father intervened and was shot.

According to the ballistic experts, Ms Caruana was hit by one of the shots that had hit her father.

Marisa Cassar examined blood splatters on the walls and drops and pools of blood in the yard where Mr Caruana was shot.

She found that the blood belonged to Mr Caruana, Ms Caruana and her daughter, who was hit by pellets.

Magistrate Josette Demicoli will tomorrow hear submissions on bail.

Police Inspector Chris Pullicino prosecuted.

Lawyers Michael and Lucio Sciriha appeared for the defence.

Lawyer Steve Tonna Lowell appeared parte civile for the Caruana family.