What was said in court yesterday in connection with the fatal shooting of a 28-year-old man in a private residence in the dead of night earlier this month will remain unknown because a magistrate ordered that the evidence is heard behind closed doors.

It is not yet known whether the order applies only to yesterday's testimony or whether it covers the whole compilation or evidence.

Stephen Caruana, 28, stands charged with the wilful murder of Neville Baldacchino, also aged 28, inside the house of the accused in Qormi at about 1 a.m. on December 19.

Mr Caruana was arraigned the following day and pleaded not guilty. Shortly before the compilation of evidence commenced yesterday before Magistrate Miriam Hayman, a court official asked members of the public and the press to vacate the courtroom.

Although no reason for the decision to hear the evidence behind closed doors was given, it is understood that this was due to sensitive details of the testimony and the nature of the case. It is also understood that it was the prosecution which first asked that evidence is heard behind closed doors, a request that was then supported by the defence and upheld by the magistrate. This took place in the magistrate's chamber.

The defence lawyers told the court on arraignment that the incident happened when Mr Caruana - who was asleep at home with his wife and their four children - was woken up by a sound. He was frightened when he discovered Mr Baldacchino in his home "illegally", according to defence lawyers Giannella Caruana Curran, Emmanuel Mallia and Arthur Azzopardi.

Police Inspectors Chris Pullicino and Daniel Zammit prosecuted.

This was the second murder at Qormi this year.

In the first one, businessman Martin Scicluna was shot dead at his office in mid-September allegedly by his business partner Spiridione Mercieca. Mr Baldacchino, who was married and had a four-year-old son, was shot a number of times.