A man accused of the murder of his 66-year-old friend at l-Ahrax in Mellieha 20 years ago insisted in court today that the plan was never to commit murder, but to commit a robbery.
George Pace, 58, stands accused of the murder of Nazzareno Ebejer in a tiny room overlooking the sea at l-Ahrax. Carmelo Sant pleaded guilty to the crime yesterday while another co-accused. Michael Vella, has passed away.
Mr Pace told the court that he had known Mr Ebejer for some 18 months and used to meet at the old railway station in Birkirkara, where they used to spend hours talking about everything.
One day, Michael Vella suggested that they commit the robbery because Mr Ebejer boasted that he carried money on him. A plan was hatched along with Carmelo Sant. They invited Mr Ebejer to join them for a bite at Mellieha and they left together in a car. On the way, Mr Sant stopped at his home and came out with a shotgun hidden in a sack, which he placed in the car boot. He had said he had got the gun in case they came across some game.
They drove to l-Ahrax and parked near some trees as directed by Michael Vella.
Mr Pace said that they then walked towards the room. The others walked some distance ahead of him. He heard two shots ring out and when he arrived at the room, he saw Carmeno Sant holding the shotgun and then saw Ebejer in a pool of blood inside.
Mr Pace said he fallen to his knees and made the sign of the cross on Ebejer. He also asked Sant why he had shot him.
Mr Pace said that Vella used to threaten him and warn him not to reveal the case.
Years passed, and one day Mr Pace said he was called to the police station where initially he denied everything, but after 10 minutes he revealed the whole story. By that time Mr Vella had had his legs amputated and he did not fear him any more, Mr Pace said.
Mr Pace insisted that while he had agreed to the robbery, he never knew that Mr Ebejer was going to be killed.
The trial continues.
See also
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091020/local/jurors-taken-to-crime-scene