A man whose argument with his wife may have led to her death was this morning cleared of threatening the woman, slightly injuring her and harassing her.

Joseph Pace, 63 of Marsa had had an argument with his wife Maria Dolores in July 2008 and he punched her.

The woman died shortly after but the autopsy concluded that she died due to congestive heart failure as a result of ischemic heart disease.

Because of the autopsy result, Mr Pace was not charged with the involuntary homicide of his wife.

But although the cause of her death was related to a cardiologic condition, it was possible that the argument that had taken place, had caused her to stress and might have contributed to her death, the court heard.

Lawyer Joseph Brincat, who was representing the victim’s family, testified that the woman worked for his family and he knew that her married life was getting from bad to worse.

She had sought his assistance to embark on separation procedures and one of the biggest fights between the couple was over money.

She used to be fed by neighbours who also gave her money to get by. He also remembered a violent incident between the couple when she had received a social services cheque, which the accused wanted.

In her judgment, Magistrate Miriam Hayman said that even if the man’s behaviour led to the woman’s death, no proof had been presented.

Dr Brincat’s evidence showed the man’s  negative attitude to his wife, but Dr Brincat’s evidence was about his behaviour a year and a half before the incident, so the charge referred to a different date.

So although the court was convinced that the man’s behaviour was punishable, it had to let him go as no evidence with which it could find him guilty had been brought forward.