A court appointed auditor has asked for more time to review the accounts of a man allegedly shot dead by his business partner because they are so confusing.

Charles Scerri took the witness stand against Spiridione Mercieca, 46, from Birkirkara who stands accused of murdering his business partner, Martin Scicluna, 43, of Siġġiewi last September in a dispute that followed rising tensions between the two over the running of the business.

Mr Mercieca allegedly fired two shots with a shot-gun at point blank range in the offices they shared in Qormi.

The accountant yesterday said he could not make heads or tails of the accounts or the documents given to him and asked for more time to review them, which request was granted to him by Magistrate Miriam Hayman.

In a previous sitting, an employee at the company, Norbert Pace, testified that Mr Scicluna, who was the main shareholder at All Sports, had employed him to help sort out the administration of the company as it was “in a mess”. The company specialised in supplying artificial turf for football grounds.

Mr Scicluna told him he wanted Mr Mercieca out as he suspected foul play in the company’s finances.

Mr Scicluna was the financial backer of the company but he had pressure exerted on him by the Tax Compliance Unit regarding a pending €233,000 tax bill owed by another company of which he was the sole director, Mr Borg said.

The case continues.

Lawyer Joseph Giglio appeared for Mr Mercieca.